A consortium led by former Components 1 crew proprietor Eddie Jordan has purchased London Irish out of administration.
London Irish went bust in June 2023 with greater than £30m of unpaid payments and have been searching for funding since.
Jordan had a crew in F1 from 1991 to 2005 and was a former shareholder of Celtic Soccer Membership.
The brand new house owners, Strangford Ellis Ltd, are an funding car managed by Jordan Associates which “specialises in minority strategic investments in sports entities with significant cultural and historical value”.
They’ve acquired the mental property, model and rights of London Irish however not the Hazelwood coaching centre. London Irish could look to enter the United Rugby Championship, the multi-national league involving groups from Eire, Wales, Scotland, Italy and South Africa.
“The primary goal of the new ownership is to return London Irish Rugby Club to the pinnacle of international professional club rugby, aiming for a swift return to top-flight competition,” learn an announcement issued by Strangford Ellis.
“The Jordan Associates team will now turn its attention to negotiating a full and sustainable return for London Irish to competitive rugby, hand-in-hand with London Irish’s supporter base.”
Jordan Associates senior associate Kyle Jordan, youngest son of Eddie, added: “We are incredibly excited about this opportunity to steer London Irish towards new heights.
“Our traders convey not simply monetary backing, however a profound ardour for rugby and a dedication to the group and particularly need to attain out to the worldwide Irish diaspora to construct the exile model.”
What happened to the German bid?
Sky Sports News reported last year that German investor Daniel Loitz was poised to rescue the club after proving of funds to administrator’s ReSolve and was the preferred bidder.
However, Loitz’s proposed takeover collapsed and he stepped away from any potential move on Tuesday, explaining his reasons on social media with a “heavy coronary heart”.
“This choice has not been taken flippantly, given our unwavering dedication to preserving the legacy of London Irish and its very important position within the rugby group since we first engaged on this course of in June 2023,” read the statement.
Hokulani Limited, the company which was due to back London Irish, noted the “extremely perplexing” development of two additional bidders late last year when negotiations between Hokulani and the administrators were at an advanced stage, with the administrators adopting a “whoever indicators first will get it” approach which, as the preferred bidder, Hokulani Limited found “each shocking and irritating”.
“The exclusivity phase of the negotiations proved equally challenging,” the assertion continued. “The parameters of the deal were subject to frequent and unexplained changes, creating an environment of uncertainty and instability. These inconsistencies made it increasingly difficult for Hokulani Limited to proceed with confidence, despite our steadfast commitment to the acquisition.
“It’s disheartening to think about the potential penalties of this course of for the rugby group, notably at Hazelwood. Ought to the directors and different stakeholders select a path that jeopardises the way forward for rugby at this historic web site, that call will relaxation with them.
“Hokulani Limited’s vision has always been clear: to preserve and enhance the legacy of London Irish, ensuring that Hazelwood remains a thriving hub for the sport and its supporters. Our financial package was designed to deliver on this vision, backed by the necessary resources and a deep respect for the club’s heritage.”
British & Irish Lions tour of Australia on Sky Sports activities
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We have a look again at an unforgettable second for Alex Cuthbert as he sliced for the Australian defence to assert his fourth strive of the 2013 Tour for the British and Irish Lions
Sky Sports activities will completely present the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Checks towards the Wallabies and 6 warm-up matches to be proven completely dwell.
