The Premier League has appointed Richard Masters as its chief executive, ending a long and troubled attempt to fill the position vacated by Richard Scudamore.
Masters took the role of interim chief executive after Scudamore departed in November 2018 and is the third person to have accepted the job.
David Pemsel resigned from the role a fortnight ago, two months before the then Guardian Media Group chief executive was due to begin, after what the league described as “media disclosures” about his private life.
Pemsel’s appointment came after the broadcasting executive Susanna Dinnage said she would take the job last year, only to change her mind and stay at the Discovery media group. Tim Davie, the chief executive of BBC Studios, was then reported to have turned down the position.
“Richard took on the role of interim chief executive a year ago,” Bruce Buck, the chairman of Chelsea and of the Premier League nominations committee, said. “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 joined the Premier League as director of sales and marketing in 2006 and was promoted to managing director in July 2015. He was previously commercial director at the English Football League and has also worked for the England and Wales Cricket Board.
“I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to lead the Premier League in what will be one of the most exciting stages of its development,” Masters said.