US Investor Takes Sunderland Reins

Sunderland has become the latest Premier League football club to come under the control of a US entrepreneur after Ellis Short increased his stakeholding to 100% to take over the reins.

Short has increased his 30% majority stake to 100% and bought out the Niall Quinn-led consortium which had taken over Sunderland in 2006.

Quinn, who will continue as chairman, commented: ‘This is fantastic news for the club. As long as we invest the funds wisely, he will continue to provide the financial muscle necessary to compete at the highest level.’

Short, a Texas-based private equity tycoon, became the biggest investor in the club in September 2008.

The move by Short makes Sunderland the fourth Premier League club to have US owners, joining Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa.