In a significant move that bridges the worlds of Premier League football and Premiership rugby, the billionaire owners of AFC Bournemouth are reportedly closing in on a takeover of Exeter Chiefs. This potential acquisition signals a major shift for the celebrated rugby club, which famously won the European Champions Cup in 2020.

The investment group, understood to be Black Knight Football Club, is on the verge of securing a major stake. Exeter members are set to vote on the deal at an extraordinary general meeting in May. Black Knight, which acquired Bournemouth in 2022, has a growing portfolio that includes stakes in Hibernian FC, FC Lorient, and Auckland FC, highlighting a strategic expansion into global sports.

If approved, Exeter would become the latest Premiership club to attract substantial external investment, following the trend set by Red Bull's purchase of Newcastle and businessman James Dyson's 50% stake in champions Bath. This wave of investment comes as the league ushers in a new era, having recently decided to ring-fence the top flight and revamp its operational standards.

The courtship was visible this past weekend, as Black Knight board member Ryan Caswell was a guest of Chiefs chairman Tony Rowe at their thrilling 35-28 defeat by Northampton. Rowe, whose own businesses have financially supported the club for nearly three decades, has been vocal about seeking an investor with deeper pockets to secure the club's future competitiveness.

"What I’m looking forward to is an investor who’s got some money. That’ll be a massive difference for me," Rowe stated recently. "Whether you like it or not, professional sport is all about money. We need money to survive and to take advantage of the future." This potential partnership could provide the Chiefs with the financial firepower needed to compete at the highest level for years to come.