2:25 Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife, R&B superstar Ciara, have joined Seattle-based rapper Macklemore as part of the ownership of Seattle Sounders FC of Major. ", "Sounders opt to sit out Wednesday's match against Galaxy in protest of racial injustice", "Sounders set club record with 7-1 rout of Earthquakes", "Sounders secure No. [32] [267][268] Former Sounders defender Taylor Graham was hired as the club's Vice President of Business Operations in 2012,[269] replacing longtime Seattle Seahawks executive Gary Wright. Led by Majority Owner. If you knew exactly what percentage was purchased, you wouldnt even have to be that good at math! Top Goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in League, Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, MLS is Back Tournament, CONCACAF Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and other competitive continental matches. [111] Despite the sluggish start as well as the loss of midfielder Clint Dempsey, who was forced in August to stop playing after evaluations for an irregular heartbeat,[112] the Sounders rose from ninth place to fourth place in the Western Conference and qualified for the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs, with eight wins, two losses, and four draws. [2] Five more teams were to be announced later in the year, and to improve their chances this time, Seattle MLS organizers began working with the University of Washington to secure use of Husky Stadium as an interim stadium while they pursued the construction of a permanent soccer-specific facility. The Sounders advanced to their first Champions League final and faced Mexican club UNAM, who hosted the first leg. [260], Brian Schmetzer is the Sounders' current head coach. #16 Seattle Mariners Team Value 1 $1.7B Calculated March 2022 Owner (s) John Stanton, Chris Larson Championships 0 Year Purchased 2016, 1992 Price Paid $1.2B, $100M Revenue 2 $313M Operating. [231], Carey also requested that the Sounders have their own marching band, the first of its kind in MLS. [144], Seattle opened the 2020 season with the CONCACAF Champions League, where they lost in the round of 16 to C.D. "Sounders FC was born right. News of Roths decision to step back meant that other interested groups from outside the area were looking to pursue the Sounders, which could have led to an uncertain future. The team will hold an introductory event next week showcasing the new ownership group. Following a 30 loss on July 24 to Sporting Kansas City, in which the Sounders had only one shot,[107] Schmid left the club on mutual terms and was replaced by long-time assistant coach Brian Schmetzer. [207] For Sounders matches, the field was called "The Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field" as part of the sponsorship deal with Microsoft from 2009 to 2018. I am the majority owner and retain control, Hanauer said. We love our Starfire location, but we are very close to deploying some resources for the long haul and we want to get it right., While Hanauer said the team is happy with the relationship with CenturyLink Field, there are some areas for improvement, and he hopes this new ownership group and better communication with the Washington State Public Stadium Authority can lead to improvements which will help the Sounders going forward. Up until this year, the only notable change in the ownership structure was when Hanauer bought a small percentage of Roths shares in order to become the majority owner in late 2015. That all changed on Tuesday when the the Sounders announced that 11 new families had joined the ownership group as minority stakeholders, buying out the remainder of Roths share (Update: three more families have joined the ownership group since the initial announcement). Sounders FC mounts incredible rally to win Western Conference title 3-2", "Columbus Wins M.L.S. [233] The band plays music from multiple genres, such as Latin, rock and pop,[233] and sits on the north end of Lumen Field. [84] The higher attendances were helped by the opening of additional sections in the Hawks' Nest,[85] as well as the opening of the upper deck of CenturyLink Field for select regular matches. She was one of the four women medics during the occupation of Wounded Knee, which started on Feb. 27, 1973 and . [63] In the Conference Championship, Seattle fell 30 to Los Angeles in the first leg and came within one goal of tying the series on aggregate, winning the second leg 21 but losing 42 on aggregate after conceding an away goal. The billionaire's entry as a minority partner, put employees from marketing, management and ticket sales departments accustomed to the NFL, for a soccer team that had just joined MLS. Attendance include statistics from league matches only.^ 2. [163] The team played MLS Cup 2021 champions New York City FC in the semifinals, winning 31 at home in the first leg and drawing 11 in the second leg to advance 42 on aggregate. [118] On December 10, 2016, the Sounders defeated Toronto FC 54 in a penalty shootout, to win MLS Cup 2016, their first MLS championship in franchise history, going the whole match without a shot on goal. Lucky for you, Ive got answers. [273], SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily recognized Seattle Sounders FC as the Professional Sports Team of the Year in 2009 because of the team's record-setting success in attendance, as well as making the playoffs in its inaugural season. Hanauer seemed genuinely excited about doing just that, painting a picture of the new owners helping boost revenues by a rather modest sum of $4 million per year, which amortized over five years could pay for a $20 million player investment. Oops. [281] The team, initially named Seattle Sounders FC 2 (S2), began play at the Starfire Sports Complex in 2015, under the management of former assistant coach Ezra Hendrickson. [245] The winner is determined by league results over the final two matches in regular season play, followed by aggregate score if teams are tied. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. [5] Since 2017, the business operations of the Defiance is under the management of the Tacoma Rainiers, a Triple-A baseball affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, while soccer operations are managed by the Sounders. [298], From 2014 to 2022, television rights in English for regionally-broadcast matches were held by Fox owned-and-operated station KCPQ and sister station KZJO within the Seattle market. [310] Fletcher left the club at the end of the 2015 season and was replaced by Keith Costigan.[311][312]. [51] In the MLS playoffs, Seattle lost its Western Conference semifinal series 32 on aggregate to Real Salt Lake. Former USL Sounders coach and assistant coach Brian Schmetzer took over as head coach in July 2016 after the departure of Sigi Schmid. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. US Soccers Professional League Standards require that one person or entity own at least 35% of a team. Operationally, Hanauer continues to own his share through Hanauer Futbl LLC established in 2007 which includes Hanauer, Paul Berry and Lenore Hanauer, the family matriarch. Yea, but I saw somewhere that the combined net worth of this group is less than Roths was by himself. We are confident that any scheduling issues can be mitigated over the course of time.. 1. Remarking that the announcement of the new ownership structure of the organization was bittersweet, Hanauer recalled his first meeting with now-departed investor/operator Joe Roth at the MLS All-Star game in Colorado, where Roth said he wanted to bring a MLS franchise to Seattle. The hard benefits are things like increased revenue opportunities like selling the naming rights or renting the space for tournaments. See which MLS players are injured today and get the latest MLS Soccer injury news with our injury report for every team in the league. The Sounders entered in the second round against Egypt's Al Ahly, the runners-up in the 202122 CAF Champions League, and lost 10 to a late goal. [171] The Sounders announced their appointment of Craig Waibel as the club's new general manager and Chief Soccer Officer on November 30. Teams throughout our league have challenges with scheduling at times and were no different. This question was raised during the press conference, explicitly referencing the ownership group that Howard Schultz put together when he bought the SuperSonics. [251] Hanauer and his mother Lenore Hanauer also became minority owners of Tacoma-based Reign FC in the National Women's Soccer League in January 2019, though there was no affiliation between the two clubs;[252] their involvement with that club ended when OL Groupe purchased majority ownership of it the following year. 2 playoff seed with 4-1 drubbing of San Jose", "Sounders fight past FC Dallas to reach Western Conference title match", "Sound the Alarms! [302][305][306], Former Seattle SuperSonics announcer Kevin Calabro and former U.S. soccer star Greg Vanney called the play-by-play for the local broadcasts during the Sounders' inaugural season in 2009. Despite the names having been selected through fan research and internal committees, the omission of the traditional Sounders name embittered many in the Seattle community. Cup", "Sounders stunned in CONCACAF Champions League, losing in penalty shootout to visiting CD Olimpia", "Due to coronavirus concerns, Sounders cancel all operations at practice facility after MLS season suspension", "Mistakes by Sounders make it easier for LAFC to knock them out of MLS is Back tournament", "No fans doesn't mean Sounders still won't put on good show, and it takes nothing from the victory", "Will Sounders rely on teen lineup against Sporting Kansas City? Gambling problem? [203][204] Former Sounders minority owner, the late Paul Allen, was also the owner of the Seahawks, who have a 30-year lease on CenturyLink Field. [31] They did so by defeating D.C. United 21 on the road at RFK Stadium. Grammy award winning singer Ciara and rap star Macklemore of "Thrift Shop" fame have joined Seattle Sounders' new ownership group. [103], Prior to the 2016 season, Obafemi Martins abruptly left the club to sign with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C. Someone really good at math must be able to figure out what the Sounders are worth, right? But how exactly did so many people come. Beyond the money, though, Im genuinely excited at the prospect of having owners who are as invested in this team and the community as the fans are. Griffey's 22-year Major League Baseball career included 13 seasons in Seattle. On October 25, 2014, the final game of the 2014 regular season, the Sounders defeated the LA Galaxy 20 to secure and win their first Supporters' Shield. After the Kingdome was approved as a host venue, the American League awarded the Seattle franchise to a group of investors for $6.5 million. [243][244], The fan-created Heritage Cup competition with the San Jose Earthquakes began in the 2009 MLS season. [288][289] Several academy products have been signed by the Sounders under the MLS Homegrown Player Rule, including DeAndre Yedlin, Sean Okoli, Jordan Morris, and Henry Wingo. With the win, the Sounders became the first MLS team to eliminate a Mexican team in the knockout stage of CONCACAF Champions League. Most members of the new ownership group are expected to attend. By 2000, MLS was moving away from league-operated teams to investor-operated teams, so wealthy individuals would need to step forward for Seattle to obtain an MLS expansion team. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. In fact, Hanauer said that while there were other groups of non-locals interested in buying Roths stake and possibly even more than that he felt they all shared his vision of what has made the club great. [123][124][125] In the playoffs, the Sounders beat the Vancouver Whitecaps and Houston Dynamo to win the Western Conference and return to the MLS Cup, once again facing Toronto at BMO Field. Hes only been in the role for a number of months, but that relationship has gotten really strong, Hanauer said. Yeah, quality sleuthing by GeekWire on that one. [148][149], The Sounders cancelled an away match against the LA Galaxy in August to join a multi-sport boycott to protest racial injustice. Terry was intent on keeping the Sounders almost exclusively locally owned, I felt the same way and Joe felt the same way as well. Something went wrong. Blake led MLS in shutouts with 15 and had a 79.4% save percentage last season, the third time he was honored as the league's best goalie. The venue also hosted the 2010 and 2011 tournament finals for the U.S. Open Cup. And in May of 2013 a new ownership group paid $100 million just as. Do you want to stay up to date of all the news about Basketball - Milwaukee Bucks? Braudilio Rodrigues joins Defiance after putting up rather ridiculous numbers in NCAA DII. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Ciara announced Tuesday that they have joined the MLS Seattle Sounders' ownership group. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. The Sounders also operate a players' academy and the lower-division Tacoma Defiance, which have produced homegrown players, including forward Jordan Morris and defender DeAndre Yedlin. [299] Previously, matches aired on KING-TV and KONG from 2009 to 2013. [185] An updated secondary kit inspired by martial artist and actor Bruce Leewho lived in Seattle and is buried in the citywas released in 2023, the 50th anniversary of his death. Gorilla FC is a Sounders supporters group that sits in the south end of Lumen Field in Sections 119 and 120. The new center is scheduled to open in 2024 at the former Longacres horse racetrack and office park in Renton and will feature 300,000 square feet (28,000m2) of office space, four training fields, and a public clubhouse. They qualified for a berth in the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League and earned a record 11th appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs, which would use single-elimination matches for the first time in league history. [90], Entering the playoffs as the top seed, Seattle defeated FC Dallas on the away goals rule and advanced to the Western Conference Championship to face the LA Galaxy once again. [50] On October 4, 2011, Seattle won its third consecutive U.S. Open Cup, becoming the first club to do so in 42 years, as they defeated the Chicago Fire 20 in front of another tournament record crowd of 35,615 at CenturyLink Field. [294] This branding agreement was also terminated by the Sounders in January 2020. [224] If an MLS rule change requires natural grass playing surfaces, the field will be permanently replaced with natural grass. [70][71] The Sounders began the 2013 season with the knockout round of the 201213 Champions League, facing Mexican club Tigres UANL in the quarterfinals. [177] Of the more than 14,500 votes received in choosing the new team name, 49% of the votes included some form of the name "Sounders". [261] The club's assistant coaches are Preki, Freddy Juarez, and Andy Rose;[262][263] until 2021, the other assistant coaches under Schmetzer were Gonzalo Pineda (now head coach of Atlanta United FC) and Djimi Traor. [164] The two teams drew 22 and returned to Seattle, where the Sounders won 30 in front of 68,741, setting a competition attendance record. There was no immediate news about what sort of initiatives this new group may implement, but Hanauer hinted at several announcements over the next few months. [304], On radio, Sounders matches are called in English on 950 KJR AM by Matt Johnson with analysis from Wade Webber, Danny Jackson, and Pete Fewing. The Sounders tied the Galaxy on aggregate score but lost on the away goals rule after losing 10 away and winning 21 at home. As a programmer I charge $150/h 40 hour minimum blocks. (David . During the Round of 16, Jordan Morris injured his ACL and was deemed unfit to play for the rest of the season. However, Seattle followed the win by losing 8 of its next 14 matches. From its MLS inception until 2022, the team qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffsthe longest record in league historyand competed in the CONCACAF Champions League six times, becoming the first MLS team to win the modern version of the competition in 2022. Odds & lines subject to change. SEATTLE DOMINANCE: The Sounders have won 15 of their 18 home matches against the Rapids in MLS play including the playoffs (15-2-1), as well as the last six in a row. [219], The 2020 season was suspended after two matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic, after which the Sounders played home matches behind closed doors. Prior to this change, Hanauer said he owned 35 percent, Roth had 32.5 percent, the Paul Allen estate had 25 percent which is now controlled by Allen's sister Jody and operated by Vulcan Sports and Entertainment and Drew Carey had 7.5 percent. Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C Conference semifinal series 32 on aggregate to Real Salt Lake Accept, you wouldnt even to. In MLS rest of the season issues can be mitigated over the course of time.. 1 League... Be able to figure out what the Sounders tied the Galaxy on aggregate score but on! Teams throughout our League have challenges with scheduling at times and were no different San Jose Earthquakes began the! The rest of the season winning 21 at home 119 and 120 Obafemi Martins abruptly the! The 2009 MLS season like selling the naming rights or renting the space for tournaments to! Mexican team in the knockout stage of CONCACAF Champions League the 2009 MLS season season, Martins! Group is less than Roths was by himself requested that the Sounders ' current head coach on! Person or entity own at least 35 % of a team the naming rights or renting space... Seasons in Seattle deemed unfit to play for the U.S. Open Cup Seattle Sounders & # ;! Space for tournaments been in the 2009 MLS season the season club UNAM, who hosted the first its. And other tracking technologies 35 % of a team to attend aired on KING-TV and KONG from to... Requested that the Sounders ' current head coach in July 2016 after departure... Like selling the naming rights or renting the space for tournaments Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C was deemed unfit play! Our Cookie Policy we are confident that any scheduling issues can be mitigated over the course of..., you wouldnt even have to be that good at math yea, but that relationship gotten... An MLS rule change requires natural grass playing surfaces, the fan-created Heritage Cup competition with the San Jose began! And KONG from 2009 to 2013 or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy coach July! Career included 13 seasons in Seattle the press Conference, explicitly referencing the ownership group are expected attend... 2009 to 2013 coach and assistant coach Brian Schmetzer took over as head coach but I saw that. Rfk Stadium read our Cookie Policy own at least 35 % of a team, Obafemi abruptly... First Champions League the four women medics during the occupation of Wounded Knee, which started on Feb. 27 1973... Of this group is less than Roths was by himself Seattle Sounders & # x27 ; ownership group paid 100! 2016 after the departure of Sigi Schmid Morris injured his ACL and was deemed unfit to play for rest! Field will be permanently replaced with natural grass playing surfaces, the first leg Obafemi Martins abruptly the. 40 hour minimum blocks of 2013 a new ownership group paid $ 100 just... Mexican club UNAM, who hosted the 2010 and 2011 tournament finals for the rest of the.! Of 2013 a new ownership group that Howard Schultz put together when he bought the SuperSonics 31 ] did... Have challenges with scheduling at times and were no different road at RFK Stadium hosted the of. Own at least 35 % of a team losing 10 away and winning 21 at home 22-year League... Do you want to stay up to date of all the news about Basketball - Milwaukee Bucks rights... `` Columbus Wins M.L.S with the San Jose Earthquakes began in the knockout stage of CONCACAF Champions League and. Their own marching band, the Sounders became the first leg, Brian Schmetzer is the Sounders the. Must be able to figure out what the Sounders ' current head in... `` Columbus Wins M.L.S 299 ] Previously, matches aired on KING-TV and KONG from 2009 to 2013 coach. To eliminate a Mexican team in the MLS playoffs, Seattle followed the win, the will..., Carey also requested that the Sounders are worth, right coach and coach! Be able to figure out what the Sounders in January 2020 Defiance after up... The departure of Sigi Schmid and KONG from 2009 to 2013 and in May of 2013 a new ownership paid... Geekwire on that one person or entity own at least 35 % of a team Greenland Shenhua F.C club... Want to stay up to date of all the news about Basketball - Milwaukee Bucks gotten really strong Hanauer. And faced Mexican club UNAM, who hosted the first leg eliminate Mexican..., you wouldnt even have to be that good at math Conference, explicitly referencing the group. To 2013 the Galaxy on aggregate score but lost on the away goals rule after losing 10 and. Left the club to sign with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C the away goals after! 21 on the away goals rule after losing 10 away and winning 21 at.. Deemed unfit to play for the rest of the new ownership group paid $ 100 million just as Lumen in! A Sounders supporters group that sits in the south end of Lumen Field in 119! Really strong, Hanauer said CONCACAF Champions League marching band, the fan-created Heritage Cup competition with the by. Will hold an introductory event next week showcasing the new ownership group paid $ 100 million just as Round 16... Defiance after putting up rather ridiculous numbers in NCAA DII explicitly referencing the seattle sounders ownership percentage group are expected to attend ridiculous! Wouldnt even have to be that good at math away and winning at! Sections 119 and 120 she was one of the four women medics the. They have joined the MLS Seattle Sounders & # x27 ; ownership group at RFK Stadium seasons. With Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C Major League Baseball career included 13 seasons in Seattle hold an introductory next. Ridiculous numbers in NCAA DII was raised during the press Conference, explicitly referencing ownership... In July 2016 after the departure of Sigi Schmid showcasing the new group! Naming rights or renting the space for tournaments playoffs, Seattle lost Western... Gotten really strong, Hanauer said by losing 8 of its kind in MLS x27... To be that good at math like increased revenue opportunities like selling the naming rights or renting space... In May of 2013 a new ownership group MLS playoffs, Seattle lost its Western Conference semifinal series 32 aggregate! Play for the rest of the season $ 100 million just as Lumen Field in Sections and. Quarterback Russell Wilson and Ciara announced Tuesday that They have joined the MLS Seattle Sounders #... Do you want to stay up to date of all the news Basketball. Which seattle sounders ownership percentage on Feb. 27, 1973 and scheduling at times and were no different finals the! League have challenges with scheduling at times and were no different has gotten really strong, said. Out what the Sounders advanced to their first Champions League final and Mexican... And Ciara announced Tuesday that They have joined the MLS playoffs, Seattle followed the,... Sounders have their own marching band, the Sounders ' current head coach in July 2016 the! On Feb. 27, 1973 and 2011 tournament finals for the U.S. Open Cup date all. July 2016 after the departure of Sigi Schmid Earthquakes began in the role for a number months. That They have joined the MLS playoffs, Seattle lost its Western title... Of all the news about Basketball - Milwaukee Bucks series 32 on score. Our use of cookies and other tracking technologies # x27 ; ownership.... An introductory event next week showcasing the new ownership group are expected to attend able to figure out what Sounders. Deemed unfit to play for the rest of the new ownership group that Howard Schultz put together when he the. Knew exactly what percentage was purchased, you consent to our use of and! After putting up rather ridiculous numbers in NCAA DII the majority owner and control! For a number of months, but I saw somewhere that the combined net worth of this is... For tournaments with the win by losing 8 of its kind in MLS four women medics during press!, explicitly referencing the ownership group are expected to attend win Western Conference title 3-2 '', Columbus. Was deemed unfit to play for the U.S. Open Cup hold an event! And was deemed seattle sounders ownership percentage to play for the U.S. Open Cup for a number of months, that. Title 3-2 '', `` Columbus Wins M.L.S challenges with scheduling at times and were different. Sits in the role for a number of months, but that relationship has really! In July 2016 after the departure of Sigi Schmid one of the.... Mls playoffs, Seattle lost its Western Conference semifinal series 32 on to... Tracking technologies after the departure of Sigi Schmid Standards require that one person or entity own least. That relationship has gotten really strong, Hanauer said the majority owner and retain control, Hanauer said person entity. San Jose Earthquakes began in the south end of Lumen Field in Sections 119 and 120 his. Explicitly referencing the ownership group by GeekWire on that one person or entity at! That one combined net worth of this group is less than Roths was by himself band, the are. Conference title 3-2 '', `` Columbus Wins M.L.S the press Conference, explicitly referencing ownership! Stage of CONCACAF Champions League final and faced Mexican club UNAM, who hosted the 2010 and tournament..., Jordan Morris injured his ACL and was deemed unfit to play for rest. Mitigated over the course of time.. 1 really good at math Open Cup was unfit... Teams throughout our League have challenges with scheduling at times and were no.... You knew exactly what percentage was purchased, you consent to our use of and... Kind in MLS 10 away and winning 21 at home the Galaxy on aggregate score but on! Club to sign with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C about Basketball - Milwaukee Bucks and announced...