From ruin to a (Red) Bull market - how Prem became hot property
Prem Rugby seemed on the brink of disaster after Worcester, Wasps and London Irish went bust, but there is renewed confidence and fresh money in the league.
Simon Massie-Taylor, the chief executive of Prem Rugby, first visited Newcastle's Kingston Park stadium in January 2022, where he saw fear in the eyes of the club. The unannounced arrival of Massie-Taylor at a struggling club had rarely been a good sign, as several other clubs had gone into administration due to financial strain caused by Covid.
It was up to Massie-Taylor, along with Christian Day and Angus Bujalski, to inform the owners, chief executives, and employees of the club's impending closure. The news was devastating for those involved in the club, who saw it as the loss of their way of life.
Massie-Taylor's visit to Newcastle sparked fear among staff and players, who thought he was there to deliver another bad news story. However, he instead ushered the staff into a room decorated with Red Bull branding and presented a grand vision for the league's bottom club. Red Bull's investment marked a sea change for the league, with other high-profile investors such as Bournemouth owners Black Knight, Sir James Dyson, and Steve Zander following suit.
Since Red Bull's involvement, interest in the league has increased significantly, with Gloucester and Leicester among those in talks to invest.
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