SAFC partner with US soccer giants Published: 08 August, 2014 by Kate Smith Club extend links across the pond. Sunderland AFC have signed a football partnership with top American club D.C. United. The agreement between the two clubs will see Sunderland AFC and D.C. United share coaching and business expertise, alongside promoting each other in their respective markets. One of the biggest and most successful clubs in Major League Soccer, D.C. United has won 13 international and domestic titles since the clubsâ inception into the MLS in 1996. D.C. United also holds the MLS records for the most MLS Cups and Supportersâ Shields. Interest in the Barclays Premier League in the USA is at an all-time high with major broadcasting service NBC securing the rights to show all 380 top flight games live across its network. Through the global reach of the Barclays Premier League, Sunderland AFC will help to promote the D.C. United brand in over 200 countries. A cumulative audience of a phenomenal 4.7 billion makes the Barclays Premier League the most watched sporting league in the world and provides a perfect platform for D.C. United to engage with a worldwide audience. D.C. United in turn will work closely with Sunderland AFC to help the club increase its presence across the vast American continent. 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. The two cities of Sunderland and Washington, D.C. already hold a friendship agreement and the partnership between the two football clubs is seen as another step forward in strengthening the warm relationship that exists. One of U.S. Soccerâs most high profile stars, striker Jozy Altidore, signed for Sunderland AFC in the summer of 2013. Gary Hutchinson, Commercial Director at Sunderland AFC said: âInterest 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 otherâs market. âThis 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.â âWe are very excited for the opportunity to partner with Sunderland AFC and its global fan baseâ said Tom Hunt, Chief Operating Officer of D.C. United. âThrough this partnership, we look to share best practices on both the technical and commercial side, while also helping Sunderland increase its recognition in the nationâs capital and throughout the U.S.â The Black Cats have also developed links throughout Asia and Africa, highlighted by principal sponsor Bidvest, the building of an academy in Tanzania with American-based company Symbion Power, and football partnerships with Ghanaian football club Asante Kotoko and South African team Bidvest Wits. D.C. is also a partner of Inter Milan (F.C. Internazionale) of Serie A, and is highlighted by its principal sponsor, Leidos Inc., based in Reston, Virginia (U.S.A.).
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...veil-new-2014-primary-kits-nod-club-tradition Tempted to buy their strip now. It's smart as ****. Edit: 120 dollars. Nope.
This is a massive announcement absolutely massive. There's so much money to be made in football over there at the moment. This should lead to a significant extra income for Sunderland. Bout time we launched our own channel to offer more for our overseas fan base
This is a brilliant bit of work by the club, potentially huge for us. Well done whoever cracked this deal.
Is your gaff built out of wood? Just curious why so many American homes are timber built. Especially in twister hotspots. Something I've always wondered about.
Wow man, really cool and I will be buying ketchup and hot dogs from now on, cut me some slack, ok you guy's, period.
I also have this thought every time i'm in the US! Makes no sense at all, other than wood being so cheap over there....
It's very cheep, but you'd have to think even a two up two down terrace over here would withstand a tornado. If they built house out of brick or stone it would save them a fortune in insurance premiums. It would cost them a new roof and new windows max from a direct hit.
I too like the DC Utd strip, but at eighty quid it's a no from me. The tie-up could be a whopper with a bit of luck though. The USA and Africa? Blimey...
I live in NC about 300 mile from DC. I'd be very happy if we can have game over here!! On the wooden house issue I remember reading the story of the 3 little pigs to my daughter, she was very worried about the wolf blowing the house down! "Isn't our house made of sticks?" she asked.
Great progress if we start making in roads. Would love to see us fill the gaping hole in Asia though, including Australia.
