Earlier this week it was announced that the Exeter Chiefs were expecting an ownership takeover bid that would go to the fan groups this week.
The Telegraph revealed that the Exeter Chiefs’ new buyers are also the owners of Premier League football club, AFC Bournemouth.
Who are Black Knight Sports?
Black Knight Sports are an investment group headed up by American Bill Foley. The group own major clubs in ice hockey and football. Most notably, they own 100% of AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. Bournemouth are having one of its best seasons in its history, and a good finish to the season could see it reach European football for the first time.
The group also own Lorient in France, Auckland FC in New Zealand and Moreirense FC in Portugal.
Black Knight also have some famous backing as Michael B. Jordan is a backer in the group. The 2026 Oscar winner has been a regular visitor to Bournemouth and was a big part of the club’s US preseason tour in 2024.
What can Exeter Chiefs fans expect from this ownership?
Black Knight has made strategic investments in Bournemouth and suits the style the Chiefs have benefited from for years. The Chiefs, at their best, have brought through some of the best talent in the country, but have had to let them go at different stages due to budgetary concerns.
At Bournemouth, Black Knight brought in Andoni Iraola as manager a coach with a distinct and attractive style who could shape and mould young players. Just in the last year, Bournemouth sold five players for more than €40 million, who had been bought for less than €25 million each.
While the rugby transfer market isn’t the same, the investment in young talents is key, as is strategically replacing those who are moving on.
A US preseason wouldn’t be something that would be out of the question, particularly when you look at Red Bull’s investment into Newcastle and large games like Ireland vs New Zealand being played there in 2025.
