Kogan appointed independent football regulator amid enquiry

The new independent regulator for English football has appointed David Kogan as its chair.

The Commissioner for Public Appointments conducted a “full inquiry” into the sports media rights executive in April, but it is still up for review.

Kogan revealed that he and Sir Keir Starmer, both of whom are campaigning for the Labour Party’s leadership in 2020, had contributed money to the effort.

Kogan, who did not make the original three-person shortlist, was referred to as the “outstanding candidate” for the position in April, according to Nandy.

The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee found David Kogan appointable after his scrutiny hearing, according to a spokesperson for the department.

We need a chair in the post and a board for the regulator to continue its work to improve the governance of the national game.

“We are eagerly awaiting the publication of the report and have fully cooperated with the Commissioner of Public Appointments’ inquiry.”

In a pre-appointment hearing, May Kogan claimed that he was being “utterly transparent” by revealing his donations to MPs on the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee (CMS).

Kogan was endorsed by the committee, but it was stated that he must work to “reassure the football community that he will act impartially and in a politically neutral manner.”

Kogan’s past donations to the Labour Party, according to committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage, will unavoidably raise accusations of political bias in a position where independence is of the essence.

Kogan claimed to have received “very small sums” from Labour MPs and candidates and that he had received thousands of pounds in recent years but that he had “total personal independence from all of them” and that he would pledge “total political impartiality” if appointed.

However, the Conservative Party criticized his appointment, with Stuart Andrew, shadow culture minister, calling it “Labour cronyism.”

The public has a right to know whether the investigation involved a fair and impartial procedure or another instance of political favoritism fabricated as due diligence, he said.

A fan-led review into the game led to the creation of the regulator in March 2024, but it was unsuccessful before a general election was called that year.

The bill was reintroduced by the Labour government in July, and it was signed into law. A body that isn’t tied to the government and football authorities was granted powers by the Football Governance Act.

The regulator will stop clubs from joining breakaway competitions, as opposed to the fan-favorable European Super League proposal from 2021, which was vehemently criticized by fans. It also aims to improve financial sustainability across the football pyramid.

Kogan will also be expected to assist in reaching a new funding agreement between the Premier League and the English Football League (EFL).

Some Conservatives opposed it as it passed through Parliament.

Kogan has worked for major sporting bodies, including the Premier League and the EFL, in senior positions in the television and sports industries over the course of his 45-year career as an executive and in numerous multi-billion dollar TV rights agreements.

He also provided advice for the NFL, Scottish Premier League, Six Nations, and Premier Rugby. He most recently sold the rights to the Woman’s Super League’s broadcasting.

He is the author of three books and former Reuters Television managing director.

He claimed this year that the expansion of the Club World Cup and Champions League “risk factors” for the viability of English football, noting that the expansion of these competitions will affect the amount of money broadcasting companies make.

Kogan also argued that clubs may face legal challenges as a result of the regulator’s significantly expanded authority to evaluate owners and directors, with “much more knowledge and much more ability to intervene.”