Andy Burnham, newly appointed as the United Kingdom's Prime Minister, faces scrutiny over what his leadership could mean for the nation's sporting landscape. Burnham has a documented history of engagement with sports governance, particularly in football, and his tenure is anticipated to bring significant shifts.
Burnham has previously advocated for greater supporter involvement in football clubs. In 2020, he co-authored a manifesto titled 'Saving Our Beautiful Game,' which proposed establishing an independent body for financial regulation within the sport. His involvement with fan groups led to the founding of Supporters Direct, a precursor to the Football Supporters' Association. He has also supported initiatives for fans to acquire stakes in clubs, such as the taskforce created in 2022 for fans to buy into Oldham Athletic, which ultimately saw a supporters' foundation gain a 3% shareholding and a board seat.
His stance on financial rules in football has been notable. In 2023, Burnham wrote to the Premier League urging that Everton's 10-point penalty for breaching profit and sustainability rules be voided. Concerns about the future of an independent football regulator, recently established and beginning to exercise its powers, have been allayed, with Burnham expected to support its continued operation.
Furthermore, Burnham has expressed criticism of gambling's influence on sports. Proposals are being considered, following an eight-week consultation, to potentially ban sponsorships of sports teams by unlicensed casinos. This stance is particularly relevant given Everton's connection to Stake.com, a crypto casino without a UK operating license.
Beyond financial and sponsorship issues, Burnham's commitment to justice for victims of state failures was evident in his support for the Hillsborough Law, which passed recently and aims to prevent cover-ups. Earlier in his career, while at the DCMS, he commissioned a review of the UK's "crown jewels" sports events. This review recommended making the home Ashes cricket series free-to-view, a proposal that was later shelved when the Labour party lost power in 2010. The current government has also introduced legislation to prevent streaming and catch-up rights from being placed behind paywalls for UK viewers.