Member Article

Sunderland Football Club continue to develop US partnerships

Representatives from Sunderland AFC have travelled across the pond this week as the club kick starts its operations stateside.

The club’s commercial director, Gary Hutchinson, has visited New York City as part of the week-long stay in the US, meeting with American media partners NBC and investigating potential partnerships ahead of a visit to the national capital, Washington DC, to meet club partners D.C. United.

Joining Gary on the club’s visit is Black Cats legend and ambassador, Kevin Ball, who will be delivering community coaching programmes in Washington alongside D.C. United’s community team and DC Scores.

The partnership agreement between the two football clubs sees Sunderland AFC and D.C. United share coaching and business expertise, alongside promoting each other in their respective markets.

Following the announcement of the partnership between the two clubs in August, both clubs have been working closely, promoting each other through the reach of their fan bases and social channels, along with on the ground activities.

Speaking about the visit, Gary said: “We are pleased be here. The club is continuing to grow and develop its links in the US and through the growing interest in the Barclays Premier League and our partnership with D.C. United, we are starting to see the benefits.

“The Barclays Premier League is becoming increasingly popular in the US and we are welcoming more American fans to the Stadium of Light, week on week.

“This ‘four states’ visit forms part of a much broader strategy for the club as we look to further strengthen our relationship with the US and its people and develop further partnerships.”