Exeter Chiefs are closing in on major American investment \u2014 and it could spark a financial arms race across the Premiership.<\/p>\n
Multiple US groups are circling Sandy Park after the league\u2019s shift towards a ring-fenced, franchise-style model. If a deal gets done, insiders believe it won\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n
Join RUCK\u2019s Instagram broadcast channel <\/a>and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a tipping point,\u201d one senior source said. \u201cThese are serious people.\u201d<\/p>\n Chairman\u00a0Tony Rowe\u00a0has already confirmed \u201cserious discussions\u201d are underway, with a member vote set to follow. Rowe, who has effectively bankrolled the club since 1998, is now looking to secure Exeter\u2019s long-term future after losses of \u00a310.3m last year.<\/p>\n On the pitch, there are signs of stability.\u00a0Rob Baxter\u00a0has committed to a new long-term deal \u2014 a move that suggests confidence behind the scenes.<\/p>\n \u201cTony stepping away? Not anytime soon,\u201d said Baxter. And if Exeter do land their US investors? Don\u2019t expect them to be the last.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcb0\u00a0THE PREM\u2019S BIGGEST BANKROLLS \u2013 FOLLOW THE MONEY<\/p>\n \ud83d\udfe4\u00a04.\u00a0Sale Sharks\u00a0\u2013 Quiet cash, serious bite<\/p>\n Backed by\u00a0Simon Orange, Sale don\u2019t shout about their money \u2014 but it\u2019s there. With a fortune north of \u00a31bn, Orange has quietly kept the Sharks competitive without the fireworks seen elsewhere. Efficient. Smart. Dangerous.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
\u201cBut things will evolve. This is about making sure the club is secure for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n