Multi-club ownership organisation Bay Collective has reached an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Sunderland Women, according to Sunderland AFC. The firm will take control of the women's team while the men's side remains under the current ownership of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. This move follows a period of growth for the club in the Women's Championship, per The Guardian.
Bay Collective focuses on developing women's football through a network of international clubs. The organisation intends to provide dedicated resources to the North East side to improve infrastructure and recruitment. Sunderland Women currently compete in the second tier of English football and play their home fixtures at Eppleton Colliery Welfare, per Sky Sports.
The agreement marks the first time the women's team will have a distinct ownership structure from the men's senior team. Club officials stated that the investment will help the team compete for promotion to the Women's Super League. Financial details of the takeover have not been disclosed by the parties involved.
