Sports Media executive David Kogan appointed new independent football regulator

David Kogan, a well-known sports media rights executive, has officially been named the first chair of English football’s new independent regulator – a landmark step in the government’s efforts to overhaul the game’s governance.

Kogan was first identified as the government’s preferred candidate in April but his appointment faced a “full inquiry” by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, which remains ongoing.

Despite the scrutiny, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has now confirmed his five-year appointment, which will run until 19 May 2030.

Kogan attracted attention earlier this year after revealing to MPs that he had donated money to the Labour Party – specifically to the leadership campaigns of Lisa Nandy and Sir Keir Starmer in 2020.

In April, Nandy, who now serves as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, described Kogan as the “outstanding candidate” for the position, even though he was not originally included on the government’s initial three-person shortlist.

A DCMS spokesperson said: “The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee found David Kogan appointable after his scrutiny hearing and we are now pleased to proceed in announcing him as chair.

“It is vital that the work to set up the regulator continues at pace to strengthen the governance of the national game and for that we need a chair in post and a board put in place.

“We have cooperated fully with the inquiry by the Commissioner of Public Appointments and await the report’s publication.”

Calls for Political Neutrality

Kogan appeared before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee (CMS) in May, where he assured MPs of his “total political impartiality” and stressed that he was being “utterly transparent” in declaring his past donations.

The committee later backed his appointment but cautioned that Kogan must make efforts to demonstrate independence from political influence.

In its conclusion, the committee said Kogan must “reassure the football community that he will act impartially and in a politically neutral way.”

Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage added: “Kogan’s past donations to the Labour Party will inevitably leave him open to charges of political bias in a job where independence is paramount.”

Kogan later clarified that the sums he had donated were “very small” and that he had also contributed “thousands of pounds” to various Labour MPs and candidates in recent years.

Despite this, he insisted on his “total personal independence from all of them”, pledging complete neutrality in his new role.

Focus on Football Reform

Kogan’s appointment marks a significant milestone in the government’s wider plan to create a statutory regulator for English football, following years of debate about financial instability, club ownership, and governance failures within the game.

The new regulator will have powers to oversee club finances, ensure long-term sustainability, and protect the heritage of football institutions – reforms that have been backed by fans’ groups and MPs across party lines.

Alongside Kogan, Dame Helen Stephenson and Simon Levine have also been appointed to the regulator’s board, forming the leadership team tasked with shaping how the body will operate over the coming years.