Dyson cleans up with 50% Bath Rugby stake

Billionaire industrialist Sir James Dyson has acquired a 50% stake in Premiership champions Bath Rugby.

The 78-year-old, a long-time supporter of the club, will form a new ownership partnership with Bruce Craig, who bought the club 17 years ago. The deal will see Dyson commit substantial new capital into the English champions, with the investment aiming to further strengthen the foundations of the club and help realise its plans for a new stadium.

The investment from the British inventor and founder of Dyson Ltd follows a recent vote to approve plans for the Gallagher PREM to create an expansion league. The news also comes after energy drinks giant Red Bull completed its takeover of Newcastle.

Sir James Dyson said, “Bruce deserves enormous respect for rebuilding the club to be the force that it is today and I am not here to change that. I am here to support, just as I have for the past 45 years, but now with greater commitment and responsibility. My family and I are proud to stand alongside Bruce as equal partners to further strengthen the foundations of Bath Rugby, realise the new stadium and help ensure its future. Bath Rugby matters deeply to this city and its wonderful supporters. This is the club I have supported for most of my life. My children and my grandchildren do so too. I stood on the terraces and have watched the high moments as well as the difficult years.”

Bruce Craig said, “James understands Bath Rugby first and foremost as a supporter and a friend. His family has stood behind the club for decades and it always felt inevitable that our paths would align in this way. I will continue to run Bath Rugby and together we will strengthen its foundations, realise the new stadium and build the club for generations to come.”

Simon Massie-Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of PREM Rugby, said, “This is great news for Bath Rugby and their loyal and dedicated fans. This announcement is testament to the stewardship of Bruce Craig and his leadership team at the club and confirms just how attractive PREM Rugby now is to investors. Everyone associated with PREM Rugby is excited to see Bath continue to grow as they now accelerate their exciting plans for their new stadium.”