La Liga is unaware of any interest from the Premier League in hiring their president, Javier Tebas, but described reports linking him to the job “as a source of pride.”
The Times reported that Tebas is a contender to succeed Richard Scudamore as Premier League chief executive.
Scudamore left the role he had held since 1999 at the end of 2018 and the Premier League is yet to appoint his successor after Discovery’s Susanna Dinnage was appointed before changing her mind and not accepting the role.
Asked if the Premier League had approached Tebas, La Liga told ESPN FC: “We are not aware of this supposed interest. That said, if a competition as important as the Premier League is taking note of the work being done by La Liga, including its president, clubs and employees, it is a source of pride for the entire organisation.
“Javier has a contract with La Liga and not only is he happy here, he also has responsibilities and challenges which occupy his full attention. This includes the changing broadcast landscape and battling the threat of new competitions — including format changes that put domestic leagues at risk.”
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, who is leading the search on behalf of the Premier League, has invited all clubs to submit possible candidates.
Tebas, a lawyer by profession, has been at the helm of the Spanish Football League (LFP) since 2013.
He has successfully worked on strengthening the finances of the country’s 42 first and second division teams and has the stated aim of pushing for La Liga to compete with the Premier League on an economic level.
Tebas was close to leaving La Liga last year after receiving an offer to guide Serie A. However, La Liga clubs voted in favour of matching the offer Tebas had received from Italy, a reported €1.2 million net per year, plus bonuses, in order for him to remain in charge.
As part of the new contract that Tebas signed with La Liga, there is reportedly a clause that stops the 56-year-old from working for another league, something which La Liga did not confirm or deny when asked by ESPN FC.
Tebas oversaw the centralisation of television broadcasting rights in Spanish football during his first term and ran unopposed for a four-year term in 2016.
He signed last year a 15-year agreement with Relevent, the sports and entertainment company that operates the International Champions Cup, to promote the sport in North America and expand its brand. As part of the deal, there are plans for a regular league game to be staged in the United States, a move that has so far been blocked by the Spanish FA and FIFA.
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