​Exeter Chiefs chief executive Tony Rowe has spoken of a potential takeover by American investors as a pathway to turning the club into “the best club in the world.” The acquisition by Cannae Holdings’ Black Knight Rugby, the group behind AFC Bournemouth and the Las Vegas Black Knights, was completed on Tuesday and will place Rowe on a three-man executive board with Bill Foley, Cannae’s vice-chairman, and chief executive Ryan Caswell. Rowe confirmed that the new funding will be directed toward strengthening Exeter’s playing squad for the upcoming season, aiming to reach the salary cap level and bolster depth and experience after reaching their first Premiership final in five years but falling to Northampton at Twickenham. He noted that the club had been in discussions with Black Knight since before Christmas, and that recruiting would be a gradual process, with Rob Baxter overseeing player acquisitions and Rowe approving signings over the past few months.
Rowe emphasized that the investment will not be used for stadium or capital projects but to enhance the squad. He acknowledged areas where the team could improve, particularly in experience and depth, and expressed confidence in addressing those gaps for the next season. The takeover also promises support for Exeter’s women’s team, which reached the Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-finals this season but has yet to secure a domestic title since the side’s formation in 2020. Rowe said the women’s program is still developing its supporter base and operating at a loss, but that Black Knight Rugby and Cannae are fully committed to backing women’s rugby as part of their broader growth strategy for the club.