Renowned boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is expected to ramp up his influence in rugby union after meeting with Prem Rugby bosses in Monaco last week. The Matchroom Sport chief has already signed British and Irish Lions Finn Russell and Henry Pollock — and senior figures in the English game are backing him to make a big impact.
Eddie Hearn (Credits: BBC Sport)
Eddie Hearn and Matchroom in rugby union
Prem Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor told the BBC that Hearn sees rugby “on a great trajectory” and is “very pro the Prem.” “Matchroom will be a force for good,” Massie-Taylor said. “I think his ambition goes beyond just representing top athletes. He doesn’t want to be a disruptor. He wants to work with the league, but he definitely wants to agitate for more growth and sees a lot of potential.”
Hearn has previously spoken of his desire to “turbo-charge” the profile of rugby union and its players, calling transforming the sport “a stroll in the park.” Massie-Taylor expects him to sign more of the Prem’s top stars, opening the door to bigger events, marquee games and commercial ventures built around the league’s players.
Prem financial report: clubs passing standards, losses shrinking
Massie-Taylor was speaking around the release of the Prem’s second annual financial monitoring report, which revealed that all 10 clubs have passed the financial standards for the 2026/27 season. Following the collapses of London Irish, Wasps and Worcester, the Prem tightened its rules with greater financial transparency.
Revenues are up and club losses are forecast to reduce by £26.7m, with Newcastle Red Bulls, Exeter Chiefs and Bath Rugby all securing major external investment over the past 12 months. No club is yet in profit — Saracens and Sale report the heaviest losses — but Massie-Taylor expects “the vast majority of clubs to move into the black” within five years.
The report reiterates the plan to grow the Prem from 10 to 12 teams by the 2030/31 season, with new entrants needing at least one season in the second-tier Champ and a large cash advance for a “P-Share,” thought to be valued around £20m. The Welsh Rugby Union has reportedly approached the Prem about an Anglo-Welsh league, but Massie-Taylor said the priority remains developing clubs in the English system.
Also Read: The Prem Talents Hunting Wales Breakthroughs in November’s Nations Championship
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
