British billionaire businessman James Dyson has acquired a 50% stake in English Premiership champions Bath.
Dyson’s investment was made public just a week after England’s RFU abolished relegation from the top flight.
The deal sees Dyson establish a 50-50 partnership with current Bath owner Bruce Craig, who will continue to run the club on a day-by-day basis.
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The club in the south-west of England has a strong South African connection.
Head of rugby Johann van Graan led them to the Premiership, EPCR Challenge Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup treble last season. It was Bath’s first league title in 29 years.
Van Graan is supported by defence coach JP Ferreira, while the squad features a number of South African players including props Thomas du Toit and Francois van Wyk, lock Quinn Roux, loose forward Jaco Coetzee, and scrumhalves Neil le Roux and Bernard van der Linde.
Although Springbok Du Toit will leave Bath at the end of this season to return home to the Sharks, the English champions announced the signing of another Springbok in Dan du Preez from the Sale Sharks.
ALSO: Bath sign Springbok forward
Dyson’s holding is expected to help reduce existing debt and support the development of Bath’s new 18,000 capacity stadium.
The 78-year-old has been a Bath fan for more than four decades, with his company sponsoring the club since 2014.
“This is the club I have supported for most of my life,” Dyson said in a Bath statement.
“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.”
Premiership Rugby chief Simon Massie-Taylor said: “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.”
In August 2025, energy drinks giant Red Bull completed a takeover of Premiership club Newcastle.
– AFP
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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