Sunderland and D.C. United are now synonymous, as the English and U.S. club have joined up as partners.
On Friday morning it was announced that Premier League side Sunderland and Major League Soccer outfit D.C. have become ‘football partners’ and are now linked as both aim to grow their brand globally.
The Black Cats and the Black and Red together as one.
According to a statement on the Sunderland’s website, the partnership “will see Sunderland AFC and D.C. United share coaching and business expertise, alongside promoting each other in their respective markets.”
Sunderland’s American ties are already strong as their owner, Ellis Short, is American and they boast U.S. national team forward Jozy Altidore in their ranks as the Mackems are trying to become more popular Stateside. As for United, they are still the most successful team in MLS history and are aiming to grow their brand as they try to push through a new stadium deal in the nations capital.
The release on Sunderland’s website states the following, as both teams will give one another a helping hand: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 maximize the use of their proposed new stadium from a football and business perspective.
Let’s see how this works out, but don’t be surprised if a few more teams start to do the same in the coming months as English sides begin to build their brands in the U.S. after nine PL sides spent their summer touring around North America. The possibilities are endless. Man United linked to LA Galaxy? Tottenham with Toronto? Arsenal with the New York Red Bulls?
Jozy repping D.C.
#SAFC striker @JozyAltidore gives his backing to the club's partnership with @dcunited #SAFCGlobal pic.twitter.com/yiAcbx2myW
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 8, 2014
EJ loving Sunderland
“This is a major step forward for @SunderlandAFC." #SAFC's Gary Hutchinson http://t.co/94zJiY1SGP #DCU pic.twitter.com/cPMSKx6wpQ
— D.C. United (@dcunited) August 8, 2014