Exeter Chiefs members make historic vote as club nears American takeover
A general view of Sandy Park, the home of the Exeter Chiefs
Exeter Chiefs members have voted to accept an expression of interest from American consortium Cannae Holdings Inc’s (Black Knight Sports and Entertainment) to purchase the club.
As a result, the club will now enter a 60-day due diligence process with Cannae Holdings Inc’s, who also owns a stake in Premier League side Bournemouth, French side FC Lorient and New Zealand-based Auckland FC.
This vote also follows the consortium being named the preferred buyer after CEO and chairman Tony Rowe publicly announced his hope of fresh investment into the Devon-based side.
Exeter Chiefs members approve expression of interest as American takeover nears
In a statement, Exeter Chiefs said: “Members and shareholders of Exeter Rugby Club Group plc gathered at Sandy Park tonight to vote on an expression of interest to buy the club.
“At a special general meeting held in the Exeter Suite, the club’s chairman and CEO Tony Rowe talked through a letter of intent from Cannae Holdings Inc’s (Black Knight Sports and Entertainment), which outlined their interest in purchasing all the shares of Exeter Rugby Club Group plc.
“Members voted by a majority to permit the sale of the company.”
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Also commenting, Rowe, added: “This does not represent a firm offer. It is just a non-binding expression of interest at this stage but, hopefully, an offer will follow and we can begin negotiating the terms of the sale.”
The proposed takeover is one of a number of investments into the English top flight in recent months, too. Sir James Dyson acquired 50% of current PREM champions Bath back in March, while energy drink giants Red Bull bought Newcastle during the off-season, with the club subsequently undergoing a dramatic reinvention.
Elsewhere, Exeter’s long-standing West Country rivals Cornish Pirates have also had a landmark investment from American backers, with the CHAMP side now eyeing up a potential spot in the top flight.
The investments also come with the PREM shifting towards a franchise model from the start of the 2026/27 season, with traditional promotion and relegation replaced with a ‘criteria-based expansion and demotion model’.