Exeter Chiefs have officially entered a new era after American investment group Black Knight Rugby completed its £25 million takeover of the Gallagher PREM side.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
The owners of Premier League club AFC Bournemouth have become the first US-based group to take control of a top-flight English rugby club after members voted to approve the sale earlier this month.
Led by billionaire businessman Bill Foley, Black Knight Rugby already owns AFC Bournemouth, NHL franchise the Vegas Golden Knights and Auckland FC, while also holding a stake in French football club FC Lorient. The acquisition ends Tony Rowe’s 25-year financial backing of Exeter and provides the club with fresh investment ahead of a new chapter.
The deal is another sign of the changing financial landscape in English rugby. Once built around wealthy local benefactors, the Gallagher PREM is now increasingly backed by billionaires, multinational corporations and global investment groups. From Red Bull’s arrival at Newcastle and Sir James Dyson’s investment in Bath to Steve Lansdown’s continued backing of Bristol and Saracens’ wealthy consortium, the league has never been richer.
Below, we rank the five richest ownership groups in the Gallagher PREM.
5. Saracens – Dominic Silvester-led consortium
Estimated combined wealth: £1bn+
Saracens entered a new era after long-time owner Nigel Wray stepped back from his controlling role. The club is now backed by a consortium led by investment banker Dominic Silvester alongside a number of international investors.
Rather than relying on one billionaire, Saracens have adopted a model focused on long-term financial stability following their salary-cap scandal and relegation in 2020. The investment allows the club to remain one of the strongest off-field operations in English rugby while continuing to produce elite talent through its academy.
