Member Article

SAFC partners with American soccer giants D.C. United

Sunderland AFC have signed a football partnership with top American club D.C. United to share coaching and business expertise, alongside promoting each other in their respective markets.

Through the global reach of the Barclays Premier League, Sunderland AFC will help to promote the D.C. United brand in over 200 countries. Barclays Premier League the most watched sporting league in the world with a cumulative audience of 4.7 billion.

The two clubs will also work together on joint initiatives in both the UK and the US, with the Black Cats supporting D.C. United as they look to maximise the use of their proposed new stadium from a football and business perspective.

One of U.S. Soccer’s most high profile stars, striker Jozy Altidore, signed for Sunderland AFC in the summer of 2013.

Gary Hutchinson, Commercial Director at Sunderland AFC said: “Interest in football is growing massively in the USA, and our partnership with D.C. United will provide both clubs with an excellent opportunity to grow and evolve in each other’s market.

“This is a major step forward for Sunderland AFC and a really exciting development for us in the US marketplace. We are continually looking at new ways to develop our international profile and our partnership with D.C. United will help us to build closer links with this key territory.”

“We are very excited for the opportunity to partner with Sunderland AFC and its global fan base” said Tom Hunt, Chief Operating Officer of D.C. United. “Through this partnership, we look to share best practices on both the technical and commercial side, while also helping Sunderland increase its recognition in the nation’s capital and throughout the U.S.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .