Susanna Dinnage of Discovery is to be the new Premier League chief executive, replacing the outgoing Richard Scudamore.
Dinnage has been global president of Animal Planet, a channel owned by Discovery, having previously been president of Discovery Networks UK and Ireland.
She was announced as Scudamore's replacement on Tuesday, when Premier League clubs had gathered for a meeting at the Premier League headquarters in London.
Sportsmail reported earlier on Tuesday how England's top-flight clubs had been left stunned by a request from Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck to contribute to a £5million golden handshake for outgoing Scudamore.
Buck has called round the 20 clubs asking for them to each make a £250,000 donation ahead of Tuesday's meeting.
Buck, led the search for Scudamore's replacement alongside Leicester chief executive Susan Whelan and Burnley chairman Mike Garlick, is known to have forged a close personal friendship with Scudamore since becoming Chelsea chairman 15 years ago.
While clubs recognise the fine job Scudamore has done during his 19 years at the helm of the Premier League, some were surprised by the bonus request given the salary and bonuses the 59-year-old has commanded in that time.
He earns a basic wage of £900,000 a year but receives closer to £2.5million a year with the bonuses he gets for negotiating the top flight's multi-billion pound broadcasting deals.
Club officials were asked to attend the meeting at the Premier League headquarters in London on Tuesday afternoon.
They have been asked to dial in on a conference call if they were unable to make it at short notice.
There has been some frustration among the clubs that since Scudamore announced his intention to stand down in June, there has not been a clear succession plan.
The Premier League declined to comment on Tuesday.
Scudamore first joined the Premier League in 1999 and has been responsible for its meteoric growth in stature across the globe, becoming one of the most significant figures in English football in the process.
He has negotiated television deals worth billions, which in turn has allowed England's major clubs to spend huge sums on buying players, as well as paying them lavish wages.
Scudamore gave an emotional speech when he announced in June that he would step down from his role as executive chairman.
'It's an absolute privilege to have been allowed to enjoy this role for so long,' he said. 'It is too much fun to be called a job.
'I am sure (the PL's broadcast partners) will forgive me for singling out Sky for special recognition.
'Back in 1992 they were the catalyst for the start of the Premier League journey and have backed us all the way since.'
Last year, the Premier League 'big six' of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham began pushing for a heftier share of the television revenue pot.
Top clubs would like to dictate Premier League business rather than let Scudamore, or his successor, call the shots in the way it has been the case for almost two decades.
kazoo
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Strange that after only less than one year in her last position she is moving on which indicates to me she probably wasn't suited for the job . This is normal tactics for top execs to move before being exposed as a dud.
gathering
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One box ticket. Now for a Dis abled Finance officer and a B lack Operations officer. Absolute joke. Should be best person for job man or women.
Luiscarte
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So she'll go from running a satellite tv channel to running the most famous football league in the world, two very contrasting backgrounds. I'm struggling to get my head around this one.
Oliviag
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Ha ha what a farce you can just imagine what pc madness she¿s going to try and force into the game!!!
Samuleley
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Would love to see what people from years gone by would think of this country now. So scared of insulting anybody, trying to tick every box madness. Wonder if she will use the gender neutral toilets the fa have installed!
reached
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Told you chaps, they are taking over. Watched the highlights of Rugby Union on Saturday with a woman asking the questions. It'll be boxing next!
tellmey
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Nothing says football chief executive than stints at MTV and Animal Planet! I thought positive discrimination was illegal. I wonder how the other candidates steeped in football feel?
lopsided
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Absolutely ridiculous appointment, the pc brigade have now infected football
posilios
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Obviously working on animal planet gives you the experience for the job. Must have used the same recruitment consultant as the BBC
secretary
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Obviously a PC appointment by the Premiere leagues establishment
people
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Who'd have thought that a woman would be appointed.... Everyone no doubt! PC claptrap.
theaction
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It's reassuring to know the PC box ticking is alive and thriving.
allisonon
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Yup, someone with a strong footballing background. Or just ticking another box in the push for 'equality'?
flyboat
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It'll be to ensure we are subsidising the women's game. That nobody watches
Gonzalezer
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The PC crowd will be rejoicing, the other 99% will be shaking their heads in despair!!
Casioos
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Lol, Animal planet to English premier League. It wouldn't make sense to even Albert Einstein
521Jack
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Was she actually the best person for the job or was she chosen because she is female? A genuine question, I am female myself.
gooljust
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A woman??? Seriously. That's pc crazy , next we will be playing with a pink football
mrbig
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I'm a woman and this is totally PC and engineered. I really feel for men at the moment. Can't say or do anything without offending the stupid snowflakes. I want women to win jobs on merit not because it needs to be seen to be PC. I do despair for our country at present.
lifetimes
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Are the BBC now running every organisation!! Men our time on this planet is over
Dinnaloe
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Football gets nuttier on a daily basis, frying pan to fire.
secretary
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I wonder why she was the best candidate?
nanik
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ha ha ha ..what else can you say?
amicablef
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And we all know the reason for this appointment.
sawdust
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Football like the rest of the country can't get away from the PC obsession that we're drowning in!
Yvetteharris
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She meets the PC criteria