Exeter Chiefs’ chief executive Tony Rowe has anticipated that new American owners will be running the Gallagher Prem side as early as July.
Black Knight Group, which also owns Premier League football side AFC Bournemouth, is believed to be in advanced talks to buy the Sandy Park side.
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The Prem in the not-too-distant future also looks set on becoming a franchise-based league, and with new owners on the horizon, Rowe believes that will only benefit the club moving forward.
“I’ve looked into what they have done at AFC Bournemouth, and they’ve been there three or four years,” Rowe told BBC Radio Devon.
“They’ve invested a lot of money, and they’re still investing money there, and they’re very happy with their set-up there.
“The same guy who was in charge within Black Knight then is the same guy we are dealing with, and I’m very excited about it, so is Rob (Baxter).
“We know down the line we’re going to go franchise. Well, between now and then, we’re going to spread some money, we’re going to sort out a few issues at Sandy Park, and that means money.
“Across the league, we’ve all got to spend a bit of money to get ourselves ready and what better way, we’ve got new investors who appear to have a big chequebook.”
On when the new owners will likely start, Rowe added: “I would hope we’ll get to get it tied down hopefully before the end of this month, so I’d like to step in by 1 July with a new owner, and away we go.”
Following a 32-12 victory on Saturday in their final regular season contest against Saracens, Exeter have reached the Prem play-offs for the first time in five years.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the side, and with the prospect of new ownership, things are looking bright for a side that finished second from bottom last season and only recorded four wins in doing so.
With all that said, Rob Baxter’s side head to the Rec to play Bath in the semi-final on Saturday, with a spot at facing Northampton Saints or Leicester Tigers at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham up for grabs in the final.
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