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. US Soccers Professional League Standards require that one person or entity own at least 35% of a team. The Sounders are now the league's most valuable franchise at $175 million, a massive 483% increase over its 2009 sale price. The Seattle Sounders first played in the North American Soccer League from 1974 to 1983, and then in the USL First Division from 1994 to 2008. Seattle's 0.833 win percentage at home against Colorado is the highest in MLS history among fixtures played at least 10 times. [152] In the playoffs, the Sounders defeated Los Angeles FC and FC Dallas to host Minnesota United FC in the Western Conference Final. The Sounders are a phoenix club, carrying the same name as the original Sounders franchise that competed in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1974 to 1983. [8] In the end, Seattle was not among the cities chosen to establish a team during the first season of MLS. Guadalajara. (David . "[179] The NASL team was originally named in a public contest, with "Sounders" announced as the winner on January 22, 1974. [12] In 2004, MLS commissioner Don Garber indicated that Seattle had been "very close" to receiving the expansion team ultimately awarded to Salt Lake. The San Antonio Spurs may be looking to move veteran center Jakob Poeltl but he's not the only useful piece they could offer a playoff team. As a programmer I charge $150/h 40 hour minimum blocks. The most notable names are probably Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Microsoft CFO Amy Hood, but its a veritable whos who of local tech industry movers and shakers. The Sounders play their home league matches at Lumen Field, with a reduced capacity of 37,722 seats for most matches. . [87], After a disappointing 2013 season, the Sounders replaced starting goalkeeper Michael Gspurning with Toronto's Stefan Frei. Lucky for you, Ive got answers. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Ciara announced Tuesday that they have joined the MLS Seattle Sounders' ownership group. Led by Majority Owner. Hanauer, however, suggested that was never a particularly acute concern. Zulily also took over sponsorship of the NWSL's Seattle Reign, but naming rights to the pitch at CenturyLink Field was not part of the contract. #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. While there are new people signing the checks, Hanauer clarified that this ownership change does not mean there will be necessarily be an infusion of cash to the team. [167] The club resumed league play, where they had fallen to 13th place in the Western Conference, and used rotated lineups to balance a congested schedule; by early July, they had improved to fourth in the West. The MLS expansion team Seattle Sounders FC, began its inaugural season in 2009 at the stadium. Beyond specifically talking about that possibility during the press conference, the Sounders have also been promising an announcement along those lines sometime in the relatively near future. [17][18] In a press conference on November 13, 2007, MLS was announced that Seattle had been awarded an expansion team that would be owned by Hanauer, Roth, Allen, and TV personality Drew Carey. [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. SEATTLE, WASH. - Sounders FC (1-0-0, 3 points) began its 2023 Major League Soccer campaign with a bang Sunday evening, defeating the Colorado Rapids (0-1-0, 0 points) 4-0 on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field. The Sounders advanced to their first Champions League final and faced Mexican club UNAM, who hosted the first leg. [16] The group competed with two rival bids for the rights to an MLS team in Seattle that had been launched by California-based investors. Griffey's 22-year Major League Baseball career included 13 seasons in Seattle. Membership benefits include voting privileges, an invitation to the annual meeting and other team perks. [94][95], The injury and suspension of the team's main attacking duo led to poor performances over the summer, with Seattle winning only one match in nine games. [264] Tom Dutra was hired in 2008 as the club's goalkeeper coach. 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. For the league, the Kings/Seattle news is _____. He characterized the percentage equity stake owned by the new group as substantial.. Please enter a valid email and try again. They clinched a playoff berth with a come-from-behind victory over the Kansas City Wizards 32 at Kansas City. [204] The Sounders artificially limit the stadium's capacity for MLS matches, with certain seating sections covered with tarpaulins to provide "a more intimate atmosphere". [239] The North End Faithful sit in the north end of the stadium beneath the "Hawks Nest" in sections 100 and 144152. If those numbers haven't changed, Carey owns AT LEAST 7.5% of the Sounders, though it's probably more in the neighborhood of a 10% stake (or even higher). [199], Providence Health & Services was announced as the club's new jersey sponsor at a Renton event on January 20, 2023. [195] On January 17, 2019, the team announced that Seattle-based online retailer Zulily would become the jersey sponsor in a multiyear jersey deal at an undisclosed fee. The ensuing penalty shootout took 11 rounds and was won 109 by San Jose. However, in addition to the documentary, the actors have pledged $2.64 million to support the club's. The club was established on November 13, 2007, and began play in 2009 as an MLS expansion team. [52], Sounders midfielder Mauro Rosales was recognized by the league as the 2011 Newcomer of the Year. Wilson will make an. [37] They finished the season with 14 wins, 10 losses, and 6 ties. Seattle has longstanding rivalries with fellow Pacific Northwest clubs Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, with whom it competes for the Cascadia Cup. [207][226], The team's training facilities and offices are located at the Starfire Sports Complex in nearby Tukwila. News > Business Tesla owners stay loyal through Elon Musk's many controversies. Setting aside the stadium discussions in Tacoma for Reign FC and the Defiance, Hanauer revealed that there is movement on a new training facility for the Sounders. But with new teams coming in almost every year and existing teams building newer facilities, the Sounders are probably no better than the top of the bottom third in that regard. Hes only been in the role for a number of months, but that relationship has gotten really strong, Hanauer said. Madonna Thunder Hawk, 83, sits in her home near Rapid City, S.D., on Feb. 9, 2023. Homegrown player DeAndre Yedlin was transferred to Tottenham Hotspur but was loaned back to Seattle until the end of the MLS season. [11] While the stadium problem was being resolved, a new issue emerged. [192] The jersey has been modified several times to include promotions for Xbox games, including Halo 5 and Gears of War 4. .mw-parser-output .citation{word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}^ 1. After 13,775 votes registered, Hanauer was retained by the Alliance. [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. [186], The team's ownership revealed the first Sounders jersey on May 28, 2008, and announced Microsoft as the team's sponsor in a five-year deal worth approximately $20million. The expanded ownership group will have an executive board to decide on club matters. 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. I heard something about $58.5 million being exchanged. [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. Since the Sounders are already operating essentially as a break-even business and dont seem inclined to veer from that path finding new revenue streams is probably more important than finding owners willing to leverage their personal wealth for good of the fanbase (or personal glory). [170], On November 22, 2022, Lagerwey departed the club after a seven-year tenure to assume the role of President and CEO at Atlanta United FC. The Sounders played their inaugural match on March 19, 2009, winning 30 over the New York Red Bulls. [236][237], Besides the Alliance, there are currently four recognized, independent supporters groups for the Sounders. The actor, comedian and game show host became one of the first American celebrities to get into soccer ownership when he bought a 7.5% stake in MLS expansion side Seattle Sounders in 2007. 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. Terry was intent on keeping the Sounders almost exclusively locally owned, I felt the same way and Joe felt the same way as well. Griffey, in his first year on the ballot, was elected to the. [160], The team qualified for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League as the best-performing MLS club without their own berth, replacing the slot reserved for the cancelled U.S. Open Cup. The following season saw capacity gradually increase from 7,000 in March to normal capacity in June, along with required proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to comply with state guidelines. [155], Seattle opened the 2021 season with a 13-match unbeaten streak, setting a new MLS record in the process, despite missing Nicolas Lodeiro, Jordan Morris, Stefan Frei, and Raul Ruidiaz to long-term injuries. The Sounders tied the Galaxy on aggregate score but lost on the away goals rule after losing 10 away and winning 21 at home. They found an SEC filing for Seattle Futbol LLC that showed an offering for that amount. Jordan Morris scored a brace, with Cristian Roldan and newcomer Hber adding goals as the . [255] Roth departed the club's ownership group in 2019. Eric Williams NFC West Reporter Always positive, Pete Carroll took the high road. [92] He left the club in November 2022 and was replaced by Craig Waibel, another former member of Real Salt Lake's staff. [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. [171] The Sounders announced their appointment of Craig Waibel as the club's new general manager and Chief Soccer Officer on November 30. Hanauer has made it known that to the degree all teams would ideally have their own stadium, he would love to have the Sounders playing in a soccer palace on par with the great teams of the world. [131] The Sounders finished second in the Western Conference with 18 wins, 11 losses, and 5 draws. [99] The playoff run would end in the next round, the Western Conference semifinals against FC Dallas, during a penalty shootout after both teams were tied on aggregate score after extra time in Frisco, Texas. [74], The Sounders began the MLS season with a run of five matches without a win, the worst start in the team's history, due to injuries to key players. Sounders FC won both times and new attendance records were set each year it was hosted at CenturyLink Field. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. [139][140], The Sounders defeated FC Dallas 43 in the first round with a hat-trick from Jordan Morris, who had been named MLS Comeback Player of the Year following his return from an ACL tear. [200][201] The choice of Providence as sponsor was criticized by fans and several organizations, including the Emerald City Supporters and the Sounders FC Alliance Council, due to the healthcare system's policies on abortion, transgender care, and treatment of low-income patients. is banking on more future growth but even at an average growth rate of 16 percent year-over-year, the team will not be worth $7B until 2025 at the . [225] A new turf surface, based on the Revolution 360 brand developed by FieldTurf, was installed in early 2016 as part of the extended lease after noticeable wear on the former surface. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. But nothing heard during the press conference or in off-the-record conversations afterward gave me much cause for concern. The logo incorporates the Space Needle, an internationally recognized Seattle landmark. [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 total share of ownership stake of the 12 new owners totals $58.6 million, according to a recent SEC filing, but it's unclear how much of the percentage of the total ownership stake that. To some degree, we simply have to take Hanauer at his word. [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. What percentage of the Sounders does Drew Carey own? In the playoffs, the Sounders were eliminated in the conference semifinals by the Los Angeles Galaxy on a 31 aggregate score. [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. 2018 (Seattle) : In 2018, Lodeiro not only set Sounders FC's single-season record with 16 assists, but also became the club's all-time leader with 36 in his Seattle career, surpassing Mauro. They advanced to the round of 16, where they lost 41 to Los Angeles FC. [3] By the June 3, 1994, deadline for MLS team bids, Seattle organizers had secured fewer than 1,500 such assurances. Beyond that, I was assured that the combined wealth of this group far surpasses Roths, so concerns about the team being under-capitalized are probably unfounded. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. [119] The team's performance was called a "cinderella season" and hailed as one of the most dramatic MLS seasons to date. [249] Schmid later served as the Galaxy's head coach from 2017 to 2018, shortly after his departure from the Sounders. The Kraken announced Monday that Grammy winner Macklemore and former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch are joining the minority investor group. [224] If an MLS rule change requires natural grass playing surfaces, the field will be permanently replaced with natural grass. [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. ", "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. [88] Marco Pappa, an experienced MLS player and Guatemalan international, was added to the team. The initial list of possibilities Seattle FC, Seattle Republic and Seattle Alliance deliberately did not include Seattle Sounders in order to provide a fresh start. newsletter, Ride of the Valkyries - A Seattle Reign blog, #TheFuture: Sounders 2, the Academy and Sounders U23s, Sounders vs. Rapids: community player ratings form. Its also true that at least publicly, Roth was the guy making fan-friendly pronouncements like well never get outbid for a U.S. Open Cup final again. While Hanauers statements are often shades of gray, Roths were usually black or white. Oops. [72] Seattle once again played Santos Laguna in the semifinal, but failed to advance after losing 10 at home and drawing 11 in Torren. [77] In August 2013, the Sounders completed the signing of U.S. national team captain Clint Dempsey from Tottenham Hotspur for $9million, the largest transfer deal in the league's history, and a record salary of $32million over four years. [10] Many of the state's voters supported the referendum to construct Seahawks Stadium because it was also expected to be a professional soccer venue. He also sits on the U.S. Soccer Foundations Board of Governors. Drew Carey, Seattle Sounders (initially bought 7.5%) Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images. No. Hanauer said. [166], The Sounders entered the U.S. Open Cup in the Round of 32 and drew 22 with the San Jose Earthquakes. [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. [83], The Sounders continued to break the MLS average attendance record for the fourth and fifth consecutive year in 2012 and 2013, with an average of 43,144 and 44,038, respectively. The station also airs a weekly show dedicated to the Sounders on Tuesdays. The move was mitigated somewhat by the signing of homegrown product Jordan Morris. But beyond that investment, Hanauer teased some exciting announcements to come in the summer. Former USL Sounders coach and assistant coach Brian Schmetzer took over as head coach in July 2016 after the departure of Sigi Schmid. Schmetzer was named as permanent head coach as a result. [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. Hanauer half-jokingly suggested some more owners may be announced. 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