The EPL "has been forced to seriously consider" U.S. candidates to fill its vacant CEO post for the first time after "the top British choices turned down the job," according to Murad Ahmed of the FINANCIAL TIMES. The search for a successor to Richard Scudamore "is being taken across the Atlantic following a series of embarrassing setbacks" during the eight-month "hunt for a new leader." During a meeting of the league’s 20 club chairs last week, there was reportedly "an acceptance" that both U.S. and U.K. candidates "would be in the running for the post." Chelsea Chair Bruce Buck is leading the five-person panel responsible for finding a new CEO in conjunction with headhunters Spencer Stuart. U.S. execs have previously had discussions over the role, "according to a person close to the panel’s deliberations." But many clubs had believed an overseas exec would "not fit" with the significant U.K. public profile that comes with the job, "and only Britons were placed on the original shortlist." The U.S. has "a number of wealthy sports leagues," franchises and media organizations, providing a "deep pool of talent" for the EPL's search. But attracting an experienced, high-profile U.S. exec "may require a change of tack." Buck has "resisted demands from leading clubs that more money should be offered to attract bigger names" (FT, 2/9).
