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Richard Scudamore

Former Executive Chairman

Premier League

London, UK

Richard Scudamore

Lauren Scott-Harris

MUFG Investor Services

Richard’s Biography

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Richard Scudamore CBE is one of the most influential figures within English football. He is considered the driving force behind the transformation of the Premier League into the world’s most-watched annual competition.

Richard began his career at Yellow Pages then moved to information conglomerate, Thomson, heading up the UK's Group Sales and Marketing division. Richard served as Managing Director of The Scotsman and later relocated to the US, continuing his work for Thomson. Whilst in the role of Senior Vice President, he oversaw all newspaper operations in Eastern and Southern USA.

The next step in Richard’s career saw him appointed Chief Executive of the Football League, where he was responsible for all aspects of the business, including broadcast and commercial rights sales for the Football League pyramid and the Football League Cup. His success led to an approach by English football’s top division, the Premier League. Richard was installed as Chief Executive and went on to enjoy an integral twenty year association. Scudamore’s stewardship guided the Premier League to a new... Richard Scudamore CBE is one of the most influential figures within English football. He is considered the driving force behind the transformation of the Premier League into the world’s most-watched annual competition.

Richard began his career at Yellow Pages then moved to information conglomerate, Thomson, heading up the UK's Group Sales and Marketing division. Richard served as Managing Director of The Scotsman and later relocated to the US, continuing his work for Thomson. Whilst in the role of Senior Vice President, he oversaw all newspaper operations in Eastern and Southern USA.

The next step in Richard’s career saw him appointed Chief Executive of the Football League, where he was responsible for all aspects of the business, including broadcast and commercial rights sales for the Football League pyramid and the Football League Cup. His success led to an approach by English football’s top division, the Premier League. Richard was installed as Chief Executive and went on to enjoy an integral twenty year association. Scudamore’s stewardship guided the Premier League to a new level, accruing broadcasting and sponsorship contracts worth in excess of £3.3 billion per season.

Responsible for all aspects of Premier League operations, he spearheaded multiple initiatives to improve club sustainability. Scudamore also played a pivotal part in the founding of the Football Foundation, an organisation that has contributed over £1.7 billion into community football through 18,000 projects. Richard also worked with clubs to create solidarity and charitable programmes, resulting in financial contributions of over £450 million per annum to organisations outside of the Premier League.

Since retiring, Scudamore's wealth of knowledge and experience has been in high demand and he has taken up advisory roles for Major League Baseball, the A-League and the Ryder Cup.

He was awarded a CBE for services to football in HM The Queen’s New Year Honours List 2019. moreless

Richard’s Newsfeed

Associated Press

Richard Scudamore Joins Monterosa Board

Monterosa, the company behind the leading Real-time Engagement Platform (RTEP), Monterosa / Interaction Cloud, announces former Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore as a non-executive director, as the business scales its media and sport offering globally.

Sky News

Former Premier League chief Scudamore joins Six Nations backer CVC's team

Richard Scudamore, the former Premier League chief, has joined forces with one of the world's leading private equity investors in elite sport as pandemic-induced pressure grows on the finances of team-owners and governing bodies around the world.

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Richard’s Background

Premier League

Former Executive Chairman

1999 - 2018

London, UK

The Premier League is the top division within English league football. The competition was established in 1992 and consists of 20 clubs. The Premier League is the most watched sports league in the world and fixtures are contested between August and May. Richard was appointed as Chief Executive in 1999 and then served as Executive Chairman from 2014 until his retirement at the end of 2018.

English Football League

Chief Executive

1997 - 1999

London, UK

Established in 1888, the English Football League is the world's oldest football competition. Comprising of clubs from England and Wales, the pyramid features the three divisions directly below the Premier League. Its governing body goes by the same title and also operates two knock-out competions, the EFL Cup and EFL Trophy.

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Richard’s Gallery

Current Board Positions

Premier League

Consultant

Dec 2018 - Present

London, UK

The Premier League retained Richard's services as a consultant to the current management team.

Ryder Cup

Advisory Board

Jun 2019 - Present

Wentworth, UK

Established in 1927, the Ryder Cup is a biennial men's golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The event is named after English businessman Samuel Ryder who donated the trophy. The tournament takes place in both Europe and North America on an alternating basis.

Major League Baseball

Adviser on International Strategy

Sep 2019 - Present

New York, NY, USA

Established in 1903, Major League Baseball is a professional baseball organisation and the oldest major sports league within the United States and Canada. Comprising of 30 teams, MLB set the record for the highest total season attendance of any sport in 2018 with more than 69.6 million spectators. MLB is the second wealthiest professional sports league by revenue.

A-League

Special Advisor

Oct 2019 - Present

Sydney, AU

The A-League is the top division in Australian men's professional football. Established in 2004, the league consists of 11 teams, 10 from Australia and 1 based in New Zealand. Seasons run from October to May.

RedBall Acquisition Corp

Director

Jul 2020 - Present

New York, NY, USA

RedBall Acquisition Corp is a special purpose acquisition company.

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Previous Board Positions

Sports Business Council

Chairman

Oct 2015 - Jan 2019

London, UK

The Sports Business Council acts as a forum for the sport and physical activity sector, working alongside the goverment to ensure its growth. Members of the council originate from several leading public and private sector organisations working within the sporting industry.

World Leagues Forum

Chairman

Nov 2016 - Dec 2018

Zürich, CH

Formed in 2016, The World Leagues Forum is an organisation that represents professional association football leagues. Currently including 41 members from four of FIFA's five contintental confederations, the body focuses on matters including football governance, the integrity of the game and the rules of the game.

Professional Game Match Officials

Director

Oct 2001 - Aug 2009

London, UK

Established in 2001, Professional Game Match Officials is a body that aims to improve standards of refereeing. Operating across all Premier League, EFL and FA competitions, the organisation is funded by these associations. PGMOL trains and develops 110 referees and 175 assistants, whilst also playing a part in the implementation of refereeing standards.

Football DataCo

Director

Jan 2001 - Jul 2020

London, UK

Established in 2001, Football DataCo grants licences to third parties, allowing for the reproduction of certain data (statistics, fixtures etc) owned by the UK's three professional football leagues: the Premier League, the Football League and the Scottish Professional Football League. The company is wholly owned by the Premier League and Football League.

Football Foundation

Founding Board Member

Apr 2000 - Dec 2018

London, UK

Founded in 2000, the Football Foundation is the United Kingdom's largest sports charity. The organisation uses funds generated by the Premier League, FA and government to support sports at grassroots level throughout the nation. £1.7 billion has been invested into community football through 18,000 projects.

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Media

Leaders Podcast

Interviewee

2018

In an exclusive one-on-one interview with Jimmy Worrall, Richard discusses his career and background as he reflects on his time at the helm of the Premier League, the most watched sports league in the world.

CBI | Premier League

Apr 2015

In an interview with CBI, Richard explains that Premier League clubs are rooted in their communities as he discusses the league's Enterprise Challenge.

Awards & Endorsements

New Year Honours

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Jan 2019

London, UK

Richard was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to football.

Football Business Awards

Outstanding Contribution to Football

Nov 2013

London, UK

Richard was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Football award in November 2013 at the Football Business Awards.

Charitable Interests

British Polio Fellowship

Patron

Watford, UK

Founded in 1939, The British Polio Fellowship supports people in the UK living with the late effects of polio and post-polio syndrome (PPS). The charity provides information, welfare and support, whilst also campaigning to raise awareness of PPS. Aiming to eradicate the disease worldwide, the fellowship has members across the nation with over 50 UK branches.

Sue Ryder

Supporter

London, UK

Sue Ryder supports people through the most difficult times in life, be that a terminal illness, loss of a loved one or a neurological condition. Founded in 1953 by World War II Special Operations Executive volunteer, Sue Ryder, the charity provides 2.2 million hours of care to thousands of people every year.

Maggie's

Supporter

London, UK

Named after founder Maggie Keswick Jencks, Maggie's centres run alongside NHS hospitals and provide support, information and practical advice to anyone affected by cancer. Whilst the first centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996, the charity has a worldwide presence, with bases in Hong Kong, Toyko and Barcelona, as well as throughout the UK.

Cheltenham Festivals

Supporter

Cheltenham, UK

Organising four festivals annually in the spa town of Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festivals is a charitable organisation with the aim of involving the local community at its heart. Festivals range from Jazz and Science to Literature and it also oversees an educational programme.

Grootbos Foundation

Supporter

Gansbaai, ZA

The Grootbos Foundation, a non-profit organisation established in 2003 to save the critically endangered fynbos, works in the local community to improve awareness of environmental issues at the same time as developing life skills and opportunities for young people through sport and other activities.

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Richard’s Education

Nottingham University

Law

King's Oak Academy (Formerly Kingsfield School)