Ellis Short opens sale talks with consortium led by Sunderland fans

Short appears to be ready to do business after a bruising spell at the Stadium of Light.

A consortium headed by Sunderland fans which is trying to buy the club is being backed in significant part by cash from the United States.

A report emerged on Monday claiming that television executives Leo Pearlman, Gabe Turner and Ben Turner - owners of Fulwell 73 Productions - are hoping to challenge a German consortium to buy out current owner Ellis Short.