The Exeter Chiefs, a beacon of success in the rugby realm, have officially transitioned to new ownership under Black Knight Rugby, a subsidiary of Cannae Holdings, Inc. This change comes on the heels of a significant vote by club members and marks a pivotal moment in the club's history, particularly after a season that saw them reach their first PREM Rugby final since 2021.
With the acquisition, Black Knight Rugby now holds all shares of the Exeter Chiefs. This move not only signifies a fresh chapter for the club but also concludes the financial involvement of Tony Rowe, the long-standing chairman and CEO, who has been a cornerstone of the club's success. Despite stepping back financially, Rowe will continue his leadership role to ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity at Sandy Park.
"If you had to choose an investor in the world of sport, you could not choose better than Black Knight. I am absolutely over the moon."
Rowe expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the operational and capital support from Black Knight that will usher the club into a new era of franchise rugby. "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," stated Rowe.
Joining Rowe in the executive board will be William P. Foley, II, vice chairman of Cannae Holdings, Inc., and Ryan Caswell, CEO. Foley shared his vision for the club, noting, "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, and we intend to bring that same approach to Exeter."
Simon Massie-Taylor, CEO of PREM Rugby, welcomed the new investors, recognizing their proven expertise in managing elite sports entities. "Exeter Chiefs are one of the great success stories of our game and Tony Rowe deserves enormous credit for everything he has built at Sandy Park and the legacy that he has created," he remarked.
RFU CEO Bill Sweeney also commented on the takeover, viewing it as a positive development for the future of professional rugby in England. "This is another positive signal for the future of professional rugby in England," said Sweeney. He praised the collective efforts to reshape the professional system, making it more sustainable and competitive.
The narrative of Exeter Chiefs continues to evolve, and with the backing of Black Knight Rugby, the club is set to embark on a thrilling new chapter, aiming to build on its illustrious history while eyeing future triumphs both on and off the field.