Exeter Chiefs Members Approve Sale to AFC Bournemouth's American Investors
Exeter Chiefs members have voted overwhelmingly in favor of selling the club to Cannae Holdings Inc, the American owners of AFC Bournemouth. This decision marks a significant shift for the Chiefs, who have been a members-owned club since their inception in 1871. The sale is set to bring in substantial multi-million-pound funding to propel the club into a new era. During a special general meeting, members expressed their support for the sale, facilitated by long-time chairman Tony Rowe, who negotiated this landmark deal. Rowe commented, "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 completion of a 60-day due diligence process is required before any formal offer can be made. Rowe, 77, has been invited to remain with the club under the new ownership and is optimistic about the partnership. He stated, "They’re a long-term investor and they understand the sport. I think it will put us in a really good place to take advantage of the future." Rob Baxter, Exeter’s director of rugby, echoed this sentiment, expressing confidence that the ownership transition will keep the club on a progressive path. He noted, "Premiership rugby clubs are big business now." Bill Foley, estimated to have a wealth of $2.6 billion, has experienced notable success in sports, including leading the Vegas Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup victory within six years of their debut. His involvement with Bournemouth, currently sixth in the Premier League, highlights a trend of data-driven success that may soon be mirrored at Exeter. Ryan Caswell, chief executive of Cannae Holdings, was present at a recent game, signaling a commitment to the Chiefs' future.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-05-07