Rumours are swirling of several big changes expected to be made in Sunderland over the next couple of seasons.
Sunderland confirmed today that they have begun a long-term partnership with Fanatics, a global digital platform and leader in licensed sports merchandise.
The statement made by the club explains that the new partnership will ‘enhance the shopping experience’ for fans, which will also see a new retail store open at Black Cat House.
Commenting on the new partnership, SAFC’s Chief Brand and Commercial Officer David Bruce said: “We are committed to raising the game for our fans and providing them with a best-in-class service and that is why we are delighted to welcome Fanatics, a company that is renowned as the best at what they do in world sport. With Fanatics set to bring their exceptional and unrivalled levels of servicing to Wearside, we cannot wait for our fans to see the new store, both online and at the Stadium of Light, this summer.”
Sunderland already confirmed last month that they would be transforming the pitch and bringing in a brand-new state-of-the-art playing surface, undersoil heating, a new PA system and also a new floodlighting system this summer.
Sunderland set for a ‘big revamp’
It now looks like they won’t be stopping there though, with Roker Report taking to X to share the club’s rumoured plans.
They wrote: “Have also heard as well as the new club store opening in BCH, a new ticket office is being built, with the current club store being turned into a sports bar. All positive stuff.”
They then followed it up with: “Also rumours of the Black Cats Bar being turned into hospitality boxes. Big revamp going on behind the scenes.”
Can Kyril Louis-Dreyfus win us over again?
Despite winning promotion and reaching the play-offs last year, Sunderland’s business off the pitch has been extremely below par for ages now.
The club store and the ticket office and been a complete shambles – both on and offline – for years, while very little attention had gone into the stadium.
While Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has since come under criticism for our on-the-pitch antics, he certainly seems to be trying to improve things off it.
It is something that fans have been desperate for for ages, so we have to give him some credit now.
If we can kick on next season and battle it out for promotion again, then we could really be back on track and KLD could be back in our good books.