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There is only one American investor that English Premier League fans want to know about right now -- but it's not Malcolm Glazer, Randy Lerner, Tom Hicks, George Gillett or Stan Kroenke.

Reclusive Texan Ellis Short, head of Lone Star Funds, was revealed this past week as having snapped up a 30 percent stake in Sunderland, sparking a clamor for information on the latest Stateside business heavyweight to wade into EPL waters.

Short appears to have moved in on Sunderland as an opportunist measure, as he does not have big league sports investing experience like Glazer and company. However, he is expected to remain out of the spotlight as much as possible in line with his policy in his other business dealings.

Sunderland fans won't care too much, though. In this new era of money madness, all any club wants is to be bought by a mega-wealthy owner as it is the only way to keep up with the top clubs.

Short may not say much and he might have annoyed the South Korean government a couple of years ago. But as long as he puts his hand in his pocket for new players, he will fare well in the popularity stakes.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

"We are keeping our fingers crossed. Let's say the best-case scenario is that it would be a wonderful game."

Real Salt Lake president Bill Manning on the prospect of an exhibition against Real Madrid once Rio Tinto Stadium is opened.

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