December 13 – The Premier League’s 18-month search for a new chief executive is finally over with Richard Masters, the man who has filled the role on an interim basis, given the job full-time.
Last week David Pemsel resigned two months before he was even due to start.
Pemsel was appointed only last month to take over from Richard Scudamore in what was supposedly a case of third time lucky after Discovery executive Susanna Dinnage accepted the job only to change her mind, and then BBC Studios boss Tim Davie also rejecting an offer at the start of the year.
Pemsel, CEO of the Guardian newspaper for more than eight years, stood down following allegations in a tabloid about his private life.
Masters, who joined the Premier League’s sales and marketing department in 2006, has been holding the fort since Richard Scudamore ended his 20 years in charge, and has now been handed the role permanently. His appointment was approved at a special meeting of Premier League clubs on Thursday.
“Richard took on the role of Interim Chief Executive a year ago,” Bruce Buck, Chelsea chairman and chairman of the Premier League Nominations Committee, said in a statement.
“Since then, the clubs have seen Richard rise to the occasion, dealing with our various stakeholders and partners with aplomb and skill. As interim chief executive, he has faced challenges head-on and has proved himself. The clubs believe that this is the right appointment now in the long-term interests of the Premier League.”
Masters will not only have to deal with being the Premier League’s fourth choice after a farcical recruitment saga but takes over at a challenging time for the Premier League with ongoing Brexit uncertainty, the rocky introduction of VAR, a rise in racism in football and trying to negotiate the next all-important domestic live TV rights deal.
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