Susanna Dinnage will no longer take up Premier League chief executive role
Monday 31 December 2018 12:23, UK
Susanna Dinnage has told the Premier League she will not be taking up the position she accepted as chief executive, to replace Richard Scudamore.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Premier League confirmed the news and stated a committee would reconvene to identify a successor.
The Premier League does not have a specific time frame for appointing a new chief executive and Sky Sports News understands their focus is on finding the right person for the job, which could take weeks or even months.
It is understood Dinnage has changed her mind and opted to remain in the role she currently occupies with Discovery.
"Despite her commitment to the Premier League in early November, Susanna Dinnage has now advised the nominations committee that she will not be taking up the position of chief executive," the Premier League statement read.
"The committee has reconvened its search and is talking to candidates.
"There will be no further comment until an appointment is made."
The committee tasked with identifying a replacement comprises chair Bruce Buck (Chelsea chairman), Susan Whelan (Leicester City CEO), Mike Garlick (Burnley chairman), Claudia Arney (Premier League's non-executive director and interim chair) and also Kevin Beeston (Premier League's non-executive director).
Dinnage, a broadcasting executive, was initially identified as the successor to Scudamore after the 59-year-old ended his 15-year tenure.
After starting her career at MTV Networks, Dinnage spent the last decade at Discovery and became global president of the Animal Planet brand - a position which she was set to vacate in order to take over at the Premier League.
