Eddie Jordan saves London Irish rugby club from collapse
- London Irish Rugby Club was purchased by Eddie Jordan's consortium after going into administration in June 2023.
- The consortium aims to bring the club back to professional rugby and is considering competing in the United Rugby Championship.
- This acquisition marks a significant step towards revitalizing London Irish and restoring its brand and community ties.
In 2023, London Irish Rugby Club fell into administration due to financial difficulties, following in the footsteps of other teams like Wasps and Worcester Warriors. The club was left with debts amounting to £30 million at the time of administration. A consortium led by Eddie Jordan, a former Formula 1 team owner, emerged as a potential buyer, having previously expressed interest in expanding ownership in professional sports. After a period of negotiation, the consortium successfully acquired the club, securing its intellectual property, brand, and rights, which were critical to the club's identity and future growth. The consortium plans to focus on returning London Irish to professional rugby competition and has ambitions to participate in the United Rugby Championship starting in 2026. With plans to maintain a presence in west London and utilizing the recent investments, the consortium indicated a strong commitment to engaging the local community and the global Irish diaspora, aspiring to restore London Irish to the forefront of professional rugby. The future of the club now appears more hopeful as its new owners begin to implement strategies aimed at reviving the brand while addressing the challenges left by the previous management's failings.