Tuesday 30 June 2026 1:42 pm | Updated: Tuesday 30 June 2026 1:43 pm Exeter Chiefs deal done as Bournemouth owners complete ‘£45m’ takeover By: Matt Hardy Deputy Sports Editor - City AM Share Facebook Share on Facebook X Share on Twitter LinkedIn Share on LinkedIn WhatsApp Share on WhatsApp Email Share on Email Add as a preferred source on Google Bournemouth owner Bill Foley has purchased of Exeter Chiefs AFC Bournemouth owner Bill Foley’s Cannae Holdings have completed the purchase of Prem Rugby club Exeter Chiefs for a reported £45m. The American – who controls the Premier League club as part of a Black Knight consortium that includes Michael B Jordan – will become the majority owner of the Devonshire rugby union team, and the latest investor into England’s top flight. He joins hoover magnate James Dyson – who has invested into Bath Rugby – and energy drinks tycoon Red Bull – who now own an eponymous club in Newcastle – in becoming investors in Prem Rugby amid a flurry of market activity surrounding the league. Members voted through the 100 per cent Foley takeover bid last month with former de facto owner Tony Rowe stating that he would stay involved only if the new ownership wanted him to. He will become chief executive as part of a three-person board alongside Foley and Ryan Caswell, but it brings to an end his 25 years of financial support for the club. News Updates Stay ahead with our three daily briefings delivering all the key market moves, top business and political stories, and incisive analysis straight to your inbox. “I look forward to working with Black Knight Rugby to support the club,” Rowe said. “Black Knight’s partnership from both a capital and operation perspective will allow Exeter Chiefs to move into the franchise era with ease. “Although I feel privileged to have led this club for the last 25 years, the financial burden was becoming too much for me and my family. With Black Knight, we can look forward to a positive future, building on what we have already achieved to keep pushing for success on and off the pitch.” Exeter Chiefs under new ownership Exeter Chiefs is one of Prem Rugby’s most successful promotion stories, winning the domestic Prem and continental European titles since gaining entry into the top flight just over 15 years ago. They reached the final of the Prem this season, losing to Northampton Saints at Allianz Stadium in June. And the investment comes after Prem Rugby clubs voted for drastic structural change across the league, with the key move seeing the top flight ringfenced from the rest of the pyramid in favour of a buy-in expansion franchise system. It will mean Exeter Chiefs, who play at Sandy Park on the outskirts of the city, will be taken out of member ownership for the first time in over 150 years. Foley said: “Exeter is the type of asset we have been seeking as we transform Cannae into a focused portfolio of sports and entertainment businesses. We have a proven track record of building successful sports and entertainment brands, like Black Knight Football’s network of clubs, and we intend to bring that same approach to Exeter.” Read more Prem Rugby team ditch Big Game fixture at Premier League ground Share this article Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Similarly tagged content: Sections Sport News Categories Sport Business Business Rugby Union Rugby Sport People & Organisations Black Knight Cannae Holdings Exeter Chiefs Prem Rugby Rugby Rugby Union Related Topics Rugby business Rugby Union Trending Articles Vodafone and Deliveroo look to patch up Reform ties after Yusuf prison threats Trio of firms poised to quit London Stock Exchange as exodus gathers pace Jaguar reveals the Type 01’s screen-free interior Easyjet’s over-60s recruitment push is economically necessary Jim O’Neill: Capital gains tax hike ‘looms’ as top option for Burnham More from City AM Prem Rugby team ditch Big Game fixture at Premier League ground Sport Business Exclusive: Rugby League monitoring Henry Pollock amid £1m Hearn wage demands Sport Business London being lined up to host re-run of GAA final between Mayo and Kerry Sport Business Champions Cup rugby team hacked in ransom attack with player data at risk Sport Business Sorry Hearn, Northampton Saints idiots if they pay Pollock £1m Sport Business London City 7s sign up Springbok-producing powerhouse varsity team Sport Business Ticket price hikes proof Wales Rugby Union is tone deaf to loyal fan concerns Sport Business BBC to broadcast Alexis Ohanian co-founded all-female athletics series Athlos Sport Business Subscribe Subscribe to the City AM newsletter to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe By signing up to our newsletters you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .
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