Premiership Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor has met with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn in Monaco and expects his involvement in rugby to grow in the near future, describing him as a "force for good".
Monaco Meeting with Matchroom
Massie-Taylor revealed that the meeting took place while Premiership Rugby executives were in Monaco for the Sportel Conference, where their international broadcasters were present. He said they took the opportunity to visit Hearn, whose agency Matchroom has already signed England back-row Henry Pollock and Scotland fly-half Finn Russell earlier this year.
According to Massie-Taylor, Hearn has enjoyed his initial chapter within rugby and sees positives in the sport. He noted that Hearn considers the athletes incredibly marketable and believes rugby is on a great trajectory, adding that the promoter is very pro the Premiership.
Beyond Representing Top Athletes
Massie-Taylor said Hearn's ambition goes beyond representing top athletes, though he expects him to represent more top stars in the Premiership. He mentioned exploring other options, including events, big games, or commercial ventures around players across the league.
The chief executive also pointed to the league's own media house, which he described as a "rocket ship" in terms of content production and value for sponsors, suggesting a potential partnership around that. He added that while Hearn is not looking to buy a rugby club, he could help introduce people to the sport and partner with it.
Working with the League
Massie-Taylor emphasised that Hearn does not want to be a disruptor but wants to work with the league while agitating for more growth. He said Hearn sees a lot of potential and is a positive person to have in the environment.
"I'd like to see [Matchroom] more involved. I think they'll be a force for good," Massie-Taylor concluded.
