RedBird Capital, the private investment firm currently holding ownership of the Italian football club AC Milan, has initiated preliminary explorations regarding a potential investment in English Premiership Rugby. The firm is reportedly looking to secure a position as a major backer of the domestic professional rugby competition.

While specific financial terms or the structure of a potential deal have not been disclosed, the interest from RedBird Capital suggests a broader strategy to diversify its sports and media holdings. RedBird has previously demonstrated an appetite for high-profile sports assets, most notably through its acquisition of AC Milan. The firm’s potential entry into English rugby comes at a time when the sport is seeking new capital to stabilize and grow its commercial operations.

There is currently no confirmation from either RedBird Capital or Premiership Rugby regarding the status of these discussions, and it remains unclear whether the talks will lead to a formal agreement. The move would mark a significant crossover of ownership interests between European football and English rugby, reflecting a growing trend of private equity firms targeting professional sports leagues as long-term investment vehicles.