'We are going to be a part of football's future' - independent football regulator the regulator's chair
The team's ongoing struggles represent a a "major concern" and the independent regulator is aiming to acquire authority to examine team situations in comparable cases, its new chair the official has declared.
In a wide-ranging interview, the regulator, who was recently selected, expressed "sympathy" towards the club's followers.
Kogan met with four fan organizations connected to the South Yorkshire club this week.
The Championship side have been struggling on and off the field in 2025, with the club failing to pay players on time on five separate occasions, including in the autumn.
"Obviously the club has become a serious issue for football authorities and a significant problem for football," Kogan told.
"The club represents one of the great brands for the English game and this week we have met supporters' organizations.
"Our aim is to acquire the ability... which will allow us to have the club and similar situations referred to us if they require examination and addressed."
Economic Challenges and Leadership Concerns
The team's struggling chairman the Thai businessman suggested earlier this year he would be prepared to relinquish control at the stadium, but he has failed to complete a sale with interested parties.
Failure to pay player wages on time in earlier this year caused limitations by the English Football League (EFL) in mid-year, stopping Wednesday from completing any transfers or loans for the subsequent signing windows, although that restriction was lifted in August.
Official's Viewpoint
Kogan said: "Our role exists to serve the Owls followers, Bury or any football club where supporters are loyal to a community organization that has represented their community in numerous instances.
"I fully appreciate the club's situation, as I do for every team that since 1992 have gone to the wall, or been close to going to the wall, for causes separate from the followers."
When asked if the oversight body could require an chairman to relinquish a club if they are judged inappropriate, Kogan said: "When asking whether 'would we intervene in the final instance?', the response would be once we gather the evidence and know what's going on, we will."
But Kogan stressed that compelling proprietors to divest clubs would be considered the final option and the oversight body would choose to cooperate with proprietors.
"The last thing what we want to do is begin intervening in an specific team, an individual owner, without having the opportunity to collaborate with that owner to try and resolve the problems affecting the organization and the proprietor's dealing with," the regulator explained.
"But the truth is, when you look back over the history of the game, over the past few decades there have been certain proprietors, a small minority, but some who have been irresponsible in the manner they have operated their organizations and finally decline to assume obligation for the long-term prospects."
Wednesday followers have been voicing opposition to the team's chairman during the current campaign
'If we get it wrong, extraordinary progress vanishes'
The chairman convened with officials from numerous teams to lay out the remit of the oversight body this week and stated it constituted a "progressive gathering" with a "significant participation" from the lower divisions to the top flight.
"This position carries substantial significance, because if we get it wrong, if the sport makes errors, the remarkable development accomplished might evaporate incredibly quickly," Kogan said.
"This represents everyone's worst fear in the terms of English football is a huge success story - we've got to keep it going.
"Substantial financial resources coming into football and has been invested for the past two decades, because there are no assurances it will persist in entering the game, which is part of the rationale behind I think we have to take a really clear view on risk and of course, of the immediate future."
Elite Division Worries
Top flight officials resisted the formation of an authority because of apprehensions regarding adverse consequences on the Premier League's sporting equality, but the chairman responded: "I fully support the achievement and development as an commercial operation of the Premier League.
"Being fully aware of the concern of undermining the Premier League as a premium product of this country. But at the same time, if you consult with top flight officials after the recent gathering, they would have had a high level of reassurance -and, indeed, they have been informing us confidentially they have a considerable comfort."
Political Connections
Kogan is still facing a "comprehensive investigation" by the official appointments authority after he disclosed making donations to the political party in the past.
The 68-year-old provided financial support for government minister the politician's campaign, along with that of the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
"I've been completely open about my previous political affiliation [with Labour], and that party membership ceased the day the parliamentary committee confirmed my selection," the chairman stated.
"I am no longer involved in any form of political activity."
