Bay Collective Agrees to Acquire Sunderland AFC Women, Launching Historic Club’s Next Era

Investment embraces Sunderland AFC Women’s legacy with commitment to driving success on and off the pitch

Sunderland, UK, April 7, 2026 — Sunderland AFC and Bay Collective today announced an agreement for Bay Collective to acquire a majority stake in Sunderland AFC Women (“Sunderland Women”). Leading the charge in redefining what is possible for women in sport, Bay Collective is a multi-club ownership platform dedicated to building women’s football clubs that win on the pitch, thrive off it, and set new standards for the sport worldwide. Bay Collective, led by Kay Cossington MBE, former Women’s Technical Director of The English Football Association, will bring its athlete-first model, deep women’s football expertise and knowledge, and long-term resources to launch a new era of success for Sunderland Women on and off the pitch. Sunderland Women will become the second club in Bay Collective’s global platform, joining Bay FC of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Kay Cossington, Chief Executive Officer of Bay Collective and Head of Global Women’s Football at Sixth Street, shared, “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Sunderland AFC and to write the next chapter for Sunderland Women, a Club with such a proud history and strong identity. We are committed to honoring Sunderland Women’s DNA and legacy, protecting what makes this Club and community so special, and supporting the players, staff, and the Academy with cutting-edge resources, infrastructure, and training models tailored to the unique needs of women athletes. This is a partnership for the long term, and our ambition is to strengthen Sunderland Women’s connection with fans and partners while creating a platform for sustained success at the highest levels of the women’s game.”

This long-term partnership will focus on strengthening the team, including the players, staff, infrastructure, and performance environments, and the Academy, with the goal of growing sustainably to reach Sunderland Women’s highest potential. In parallel, Bay Collective will work with the Club to enhance the matchday experience for fans and strengthen its operational infrastructure to support long-term success. By prioritizing player development and the amplification of each club’s unique identity, Bay Collective’s ethos aligns closely with Sunderland AFC, which has championed this approach throughout its rise from League One to the Premier League.

Founded in 1879, Sunderland is one of England’s most storied football clubs, with a deep-rooted identity and a passionate community of fans that spans the globe. The North-East is a longstanding cradle of English women’s football talent, and the Sunderland Women’s Academy has produced numerous iconic players who have gone on to represent England on the global stage, including Beth Mead, Jill Scott, Steph Houghton, Lucy Bronze, and many others. With this commitment from Bay Collective, both parties share a belief in Sunderland Women’s potential within the English football pyramid.

Tom Burwell, Chief Executive Officer of Bia Sports Group, said, “This is a significant step for Sunderland Women and for Sunderland AFC. This agreement reflects a shared ambition to see our women’s team thrive at the highest level. Bay Collective brings world-class experience and resources, and this partnership creates an exciting platform for sustainable success, while keeping Sunderland’s identity and values at its core. We considered several options throughout a comprehensive one-year process, but Bay Collective stood out for their global expertise, their belief in our Club, and their commitment to building for the long term while respecting what makes Sunderland special.”

The agreement forms part of Sunderland AFC’s global investment plan and will also result in the development of critical infrastructure, including the Academy of Light, to further strengthen the world-class environment supporting all women’s, men’s, and Academy teams.

Sunderland AFC will retain a minority stake, ensuring continuity with the Club’s identity, values, and intellectual property. Sunderland AFC Women will continue to be operated in partnership with Sunderland AFC, with a full focus on completing the current season as strongly as possible. Completion of the transaction is subject to certain footballing authority approvals.

NOTE TO EDITORS

Upon approval of the transaction, media representatives will receive an invitation to the Stadium of Light, where Bay Collective and Sunderland AFC representatives will be available for the media.

About Sunderland AFC

Founded in 1879, Sunderland AFC is one of English football’s most historic and passionately supported Clubs. A six-time English champion and two-time FA Cup winner, the Club has a proud tradition of developing talent and championing its community. Playing at the iconic Stadium of Light, Sunderland AFC is driven by a commitment to high performance, sustainable growth, and deep-rooted regional values. With a renowned academy system and a clear footballing identity built on ambition and hard work, the Club continues to strengthen its position within the Premier League and the wider global game.

About Bay Collective

Bay Collective is a multi-club ownership platform focused on building women’s football clubs that win on the pitch, thrive off it, and set new standards for the sport worldwide. Launched in 2025 and backed by Sixth Street’s global platform, Bay Collective’s ambition isn’t incremental; it’s transformational – for athletes, staff, and the communities that support them. Led by Kay Cossington MBE, Bay Collective’s belief in the women’s game comes from lived experience, bringing a deep understanding of its talent, momentum, and the dedicated effort required to scale it sustainably. Clubs join a collective that protects their identity, amplifies their strengths, and connects them to world-class infrastructure and expertise. Bay Collective’s mission is to nurture excellence and prove that women’s football can be both culturally powerful and commercially robust at a global level. Learn more at www.baycollective.com and follow Bay Collective on LinkedIn.

About Sixth Street

Founded in San Francisco in 2009, Sixth Street is a global investment firm with over $130 billion of assets under management and committed capital. Sixth Street is the founding lead investor in Bay FC of the National Women’s Soccer League and the backer of Bay Collective. The firm is a strategic investment partner to FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, the San Francisco Giants, the Boston Celtics, the San Antonio Spurs, and the New England Patriots. Sixth Street uses its long-term flexible capital, data-enabled capabilities, and One Team culture to develop themes and offer solutions to companies across all stages of growth. Sixth Street has more than 750 team members including approximately 300 investment professionals operating across our global locations.¹ For more information, and additional disclosures, visit www.sixthstreet.com, and follow Sixth Street on LinkedIn.

About Bia Sports Group

Bia Sports Group was established by Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori to institutionalize a long-term, disciplined approach to sports investment, underpinned by an experienced and high-performing management team. The group targets opportunities across both emerging and established sports properties, with a current portfolio comprising Sunderland AFC, the World Supercross Championship, and the newly launched Ultimate 7s league.

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¹ Total Sixth Street employees as of 3/31/2026