Sixth Street has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Sunderland AFC Women, marking its first investment in UK football as institutional capital continues to target the growth of the women’s game, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The deal is being executed through Bay Collective, the firm’s multi-club ownership platform focused on women’s football. The platform is designed to build a global network of teams, with Sunderland becoming its latest addition.
Sunderland AFC will retain a minority holding in the women’s side following completion of the transaction.
The move expands Sixth Street’s growing sports portfolio, which includes partnerships with major organisations such as FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, San Francisco Giants and Boston Celtics.
Bay Collective is led by Kay Cossington, formerly the women’s technical director at The Football Association. Sunderland becomes the second club under the platform, alongside Bay FC in the United States.
The transaction highlights continued investor confidence in the commercial potential of women’s sport, despite ongoing challenges around matchday revenues and attendance levels. Sixth Street co-founder and chief executive Alan Waxman has previously said he expects leading women’s teams to evolve into globally recognised consumer brands.
Recent signs of momentum have emerged at club level. Sunderland’s derby against Newcastle United Women drew a crowd of around 10,000 at the Stadium of Light, underlining growing local engagement.
The deal follows other recent transactions in the space, including the sale of a majority stake in Bristol City Women to investment group Mercury 13.
