Football Regulator Role Likely for Kogan Following CMS Committee Approval
David Kogan's Nomination as Football Regulator Chair: A Peculiar Setting
It's all systems go for David Kogan, seeming favorite to assume the role as chair of the football regulator. Following a grilling by MPs, the Culture, Media and Sport committee delivered a qualified endorsement for the job. However, concerns about political impartiality have surfaced, primarily due to Kogan's past donations to Labour leadership campaigns.
In a report following the rigorous questioning, the committee affirmed its support for Kogan's appointment, acknowledging his expansive background in football and media sectors. Yet, they did express worries over his political impartiality due to his previous financial support to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.
The committee praises Kogan for his candor and recommends that, should he take on this role, he make tactical moves to reassure the football community that he'll act impartially and remain politically unbiased. They look forward to constructive collaboration and scrutiny.
Responding to this, Kogan assured in a letter that his donations in 2020, each amounting below £1,500, were his last. He reiterated his vow to steer clear of any more political contributions and pledged political impartiality during his tenure in any public position if appointed.
Caroline Dinenage, the committee chair, emphasized the necessity of Kogan assuaging all concerns surrounding his political impartiality to ensure the new Independent Football Regulator's success. The regulator's creation is contingent upon the Football Governance Bill passing through the Commons, putting Kogan on track to assume the £130,000-a-year, part-time post in autumn 2022.
Known for his advice to both the Premier League and EFL on media rights, the 67-year-old Tottenham Hotspur fan has experience in the BBC, Reuters, and served as a director of Channel 4 as well. Kogan's robust performance before the committee was marked by warnings about potential legal challenges from top clubs and a guarantee that the watchdog would proactively assist smaller clubs in complying with its licensing regime[1][2].
References:
[1] City AM article about Lincoln City's collaboration with the shadow football regulator.[2] Independent article detailing the Culture, Media and Sport committee's endorsement and concerns about political impartiality.[3] BBC News article covering Kogan's performance before the committee and his commitments to the football community.[4] Politico article discussing opposition parties' concerns and the potential appearance of cronyism.
- David Kogan's nomination as the chair of the football regulator, despite his past political donations, is still on track due to his extensive background in the football and media industries, particularly his advice to the Premier League and EFL on media rights.
- In a controversial move, Kogan, a previous donor to Labour leadership campaigns, is praised for his candor in front of the Culture, Media and Sport committee, yet concerns about political impartiality linger due to his financial support to Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy.
- As the regulator's creation depends on the Football Governance Bill passing through the Commons, Kogan could take on the £130,000-a-year, part-time post in autumn 2022, emphasizing the necessity of reassuring the football community of his political impartiality to ensure the body's success.
- Owing to his diverse experience in the finance sector, having worked at the BBC, Reuters, and Channel 4, Kogan's leadership could potentially impact the business strategies of sports teams, particularly football clubs within European-leagues and the Premier League.
