'We are going to be a part of football's future' - football oversight chief David Kogan
The Championship club's current difficulties constitute a "significant problem" and the new football authority is looking to gain the ability to look into club affairs in such situations, the recently named head the regulator has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, Kogan, who was appointed on Monday, showed understanding towards the club's followers.
The regulator engaged with four supporter groups associated with the Championship side in recent days.
The team have been experiencing difficulties in multiple areas in 2025, with the club delaying salary disbursements on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Evidently Wednesday represents a serious issue for football authorities and a major challenge for the sport," Kogan told.
"The club represents one of the iconic names for English football and in recent days we have met supporters' organizations.
"We're now looking to get powers... which will allow us to have Sheffield Wednesday - and other clubs referred to us if they require examination and dealt with."
Economic Challenges and Ownership Situation
The team's struggling chairman the current owner stated during the off-season he would be willing to sell up at the stadium, but he has not been able to secure a deal with potential new owners.
Delayed salary payments on time in March and May caused limitations by the football authorities in June, preventing the club from carrying out any recruitment activities for the next three transfer windows, although those limitations were removed in late summer.
Authority's Position
The regulator explained: "Our role exists to serve the supporters of Wednesday, Bury or any football club where fans are dedicated to a regional establishment that has existed throughout their lifetimes in multiple situations.
"I fully appreciate the team's plight, as I do for each organization that over recent decades have faced collapse, or nearly ceased operations, for reasons that have nothing to do with the supporters."
When asked if the regulator could force an chairman to relinquish a club if they are deemed unsuitable, the chairman responded: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we gather the evidence and understand the situation, we will."
But the chairman emphasized that requiring chairmen to relinquish clubs would be viewed as the ultimate measure and the oversight body would choose to work with them.
"Our least desirable course of action is start getting involved with an individual club, an particular chairman, without being able to work with that proprietor to address the challenges confronting the team and the proprietor's dealing with," Kogan said.
"In actuality, when you examine the past of football, over the past few decades there have been some owners, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the approach they have taken toward their organizations and finally decline to assume obligation for the future."
Owls fans have been protesting against the team's chairman during the current campaign
'Errors may undo substantial development'
Kogan met with representatives from 110 clubs to explain the responsibilities of the regulator on Wednesday and maintained it represented a "forward-thinking discussion" with a "substantial involvement" from the National League to the Premier League.
"This position carries substantial significance, because should mistakes occur, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished could disappear rapidly," the chairman stated.
"Such an outcome is universally undesirable in the terms of English football is a huge success story - we must maintain momentum.
"Substantial financial resources flowing into the game and has come into football for the recent generations, because certainty is lacking it will keep flowing into the sport, which is one of the reasons why I think we have to maintain a focused outlook on risk and of course, of the next two or three years."
Premier League Concerns
Top flight officials resisted the creation of a regulator because of fears of a negative impact on the elite division's competitive balance, but Kogan said: "I completely endorse the prosperity and expansion as an economic entity of the Premier League.
"Being fully aware of the apprehension regarding damaging the top flight as an elite competition of this country. But simultaneously, if you talk to the Premier League after this week's discussion, they would have had a substantial amount of confidence -and, actually, they have been telling us in private they have a significant confidence."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "thorough examination" by the Commissioner for Public Appointments after he revealed he contributed money to the Labour Party in the past.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for government minister the minister's leadership bid, along with that of the government leader.
"I have fully disclosed my past party membership [with Labour], and that political affiliation came to an end the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the chairman stated.
"I am presently disconnected from any type of partisan engagement."
