Finn Russell and Henry Pollock are already part of Eddie Hearn’s rugby plans. The boxing promoter, who runs Matchroom Sport, met leaders of the English Premiership in Monaco last week, and league chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor expects Hearn’s role to grow.
Hearn has entered rugby by signing the two high-profile players to his stable. Massie-Taylor said Hearn believes the league is moving in a positive direction and wants to help it grow, rather than disrupt it. His ambitions, Massie-Taylor added, reach beyond representing athletes.
That could mean signing more of the Prem’s leading players, as well as working on major events, big matches or commercial projects involving players across the league. Hearn has previously said he wants to “turbo-charge” rugby union’s profile and that changing the sport would be a “stroll in the park.” Massie-Taylor said he does not expect Hearn to buy a club, but believes he could introduce new people to rugby and help create partnerships.
The discussion comes as the Prem tries to build a more stable future for its clubs. Its second annual financial monitoring report says all 10 teams have met the league’s financial standards for the 2026/27 season. The rules were tightened after London Irish, Wasps and Worcester went out of business, with clubs now expected to share clearer information about their finances.
The report points to rising league revenues and forecasts that club losses will fall by £26.7 million. Newcastle Red Bulls, Exeter Chiefs and Bath Rugby have each secured major outside investment in the past 12 months. Still, no club is currently making a profit, and Saracens and Sale have reported the largest losses.
Massie-Taylor said the league expects most clubs to become profitable within five years, with losses for those still in the red likely to be relatively small. He also argued that clubs could have room to reinvest once they become more sustainable, provided their overall value grows faster than their combined losses.
The Prem’s longer-term plan is to expand from 10 teams to 12 by the 2030/31 season. The league expects to complete a call for expressions of interest in the coming months. Any new team would first have to play at least one season in the second-tier Champ and pay a large advance for a “P-Share,” a stake in the league thought to be worth about £20 million.
The Welsh Rugby Union has approached the Prem about the possibility of Welsh clubs joining an Anglo-Welsh league. Massie-Taylor did not rule it out, but said the main focus remains on building English clubs, including teams in the Champ, other parts of the English game, and former clubs that might return. With finances under closer review and expansion still on the agenda, Hearn’s interest could bring new commercial ideas as the league works to make its next stage more secure.