Lisa Nandy, the culture, media and sport secretary, is poised to ratify the appointment of the chair for the new Independent Football Regulator.
Sources have indicated that the media industry veteran David Kogan is in pole position to be named head of the IFR. It is understood that while some details have to be cleared up, an agreement for him to take the role is close.
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Kogan, whose candidacy was first reported by Sky News, has negotiated a series of TV rights deals across the sport. If his appointment is approved he is expected to face a committee of MPs for a confirmation hearing.
The regulator has the support of the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and is part of the Football Governance Bill passing through parliament. Kogan has held a directorship at Channel 4 and has links to Labour, including making donations to parliamentary candidates, chairing the independent news site Labour List and writing two books about the party.
He has also advised footballing bodies including the Premier League, Uefa, the Scottish Premier League and the English Football League on TV rights contracts. He acted as lead negotiator for the Women’s Super League and Championship on their broadcasting deals with Sky and the BBC last year.
The IFR, which will be based in Manchester, was conceived by the Conservative party after the controversy over the failed attempt to create a European Super League in 2021. The Football Governance Bill has passed through the House of Lords and is expected to be introduced in the House of Commons soon.
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