Television executive Susanna Dinnage has been named as the new chief executive of the Premier League, replacing Richard Scudamore. Dinnage joins from media organization Discovery, where she was the Global President of the Animal Planet channel. When she takes up her role in 2019, Susanna Dinnage will become the most senior female leader in the world's major professional sports leagues.

Scudamore, 59, is stepping down next month after 19 years at the top.

Susanna stated, “I am excited at the prospect of taking on this fantastic role. The Premier League means so much to so many people. It represents the pinnacle of professional sport and the opportunity to lead such a dynamic and inspirational organization is a great privilege. With the support of clubs and the team, I look forward to extending the success of the league for many years to come." 

She will begin her new job early in 2019. With this appointment, she becomes the third person to lead the Premier League, after Scudamore and his predecessor Rick Parry. Prior to joining Discovery in January 2009, Susanna worked for 10 years at Channel Five. She started her career at MTV.

Bruce Buck, Chelsea's chairman and chair of the Premier League's nominations committee stated, “We are very pleased to appoint such a capable leader to this important role. We had a very strong field, but Susanna was the outstanding choice given her track record in managing complex businesses through transformation and digital disruption."

 

 

He added that Susanna is a leading figure in the broadcasting industry, a proven business executive and a great developer of people. She is ideally suited to the role and we are confident she will be able to take the Premier League on to new heights.”

The league generated a record GBP4.5 Bn in revenue in the 2016-17 season, with that figure projected to rise further over the next two years. Thus it won't be wrong to say given the global popularity and influence of the Premier League, Susanna is set to become arguably the most powerful figure in British sport.

Image Credits: ESPN