Sunderland chiefs emphasise international fan growth amid Africa links and US tour | OneFootball

Sunderland chiefs have stressed the importance of international fan growth to future revenues, and plan to build on strong opportunities in Africa as they prepare for a US pre-season tour. According to Sunderland Echo, interim CEO Tom Burwell outlined the approach and the club’s £200m turnover with a global reach.

Regis Le Bris guided the Black Cats to seventh on their Premier League return, securing Europa League football. The summer itinerary is intended to broaden the club’s global footprint.

The strategy was discussed with fan groups at May’s Supporters’ Collective Meeting, attended by club figures including Burwell and director of football Florent Ghisolfi. The club also underlined the need to grow globally while staying rooted in the local community.

Sunderland’s ties with Africa include the 2012 Invest in Africa shirt sponsorship, and a significant share of current commercial talks is with African companies. The club had more players at AFCON than any other Premier League side, and it aims to align with African opportunities to support international fan growth while preserving identity.

They will base themselves in Nashville, Tennessee, before facing Liverpool at Geodis Park on Saturday 25 July. The squad then heads to Harrison, New Jersey, to play Leeds United on Thursday 30 July at the Sports Illustrated Stadium, home of the New York Red Bulls and Gotham FC. The tour concludes in Chester, Pennsylvania, against Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham at Subaru Park on Sunday two August.

Source: Sunderland Echo