Government reveals prime candidate for football regulator role

David Kogan, a television and sports industry veteran who carries a wealth of experience in senior corporate roles, is set to be installed in the role. 

Having successfully negotiated multi-billion pound television rights deals involving the Premier League and the English Football League, collaborated with several major sporting institutions and secured broadcast arrangements for the Women’s Super League – he boasts the requisite skillset to deal with powerful enterprises.

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In a 45-year career spanning several sectors, Kogan has stood as Reuters managing director, Magnum CEO and co-founded Reel Enterprises and Women’s Sports Group. He currently operates as an advisor to CNN and the New York Times Group. 

According to an official release from Lisa Nandy’s department, Kogan will undergo “pre-appointment scrutiny” before being confirmed as independent football regulator. 

Nandy lauded Kogan’s “very impressive” career in a public letter, saying: “David brings with him a wealth of expertise from the sport and media industries having worked across a number of high-profile governing bodies, competition organisers and major media corporations in a very impressive career. It makes him an outstanding candidate to be the chair of the independent football regulator.” 

In the same press release, David Kogan expressed admiration for domestic football ahead of his potential appointment: 

“Across the country millions of us share a passion for football, a game that is not only part of our national heritage but one of our most valuable cultural exports. That’s why as both a supporter and someone with many years spent working in football, I am honoured to have been asked to be the preferred candidate for chair of the newly created independent football regulator.”

Kogan also underlined the importance of football revenue and the sport’s impact on local communities: “Our professional clubs, whatever their size, are a source of local and national pride. They generate economic growth and investment, unite communities, and create shared experiences and memories that transcend generations.”

He concluded with a word on the position itself: “The job of the regulator is to work with those clubs, their owners, and their supporters to create a dynamic framework that will ensure the game is on a sound financial footing so that it can continue to flourish and to grow. I cannot wait to get started.”

While the primary focus of this independent football regulator is to establish “rules to protect clubs, empower fans and keep clubs at the heart of their communities”, Kogan will also convene with parliamentarians on sports betting. This includes those who believe that sports betting laws should be tightened. 

Lord Addington represents such a view – and has publicly expressed concerns over the relationship between football clubs and sports betting. In his view, betting-adjacent content and advertisements should be banned from English football. 

In March, Addington put forth a motion to sever the ties that bond football and sports betting. Despite its failure, some MPs voiced support for certain issues raised within the bill. 

As independent football regulator, Kogan must welcome all perspectives – with the sustainability of English football as his core objective.