Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Star-Studded Additions to Sounders’ Ownership Group

*This piece first appeared in the Front Office Sports Newsletter. Subscribe today and get the news before anyone else. 

Watch out James Harden and Will Ferrell: the MLS celebrity ownership pick-up game just got even bigger.

The MLS club announced yesterday that eleven families with connections to the Seattle area would be joining its ownership group. The new investors will take over part of a stake formerly held by Joe Roth, the Hollywood producer who helped the city land an MLS expansion spot in 2007.

Gang Rave Green

The new group, led by former Microsoft executive Terry Myerson and his wife Katie, is a proverbial who’s who of Seattle. It ranges from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson and his Grammy Award-winning wife Ciara to Seattle-born hip hop star Macklemore.

Adrian Hanauer, the club’s current majority owner holding more than 35%, increased his stake in the team as well. Actor Drew Carey, Jody Allen, Paul Barry and Lenore Hanauer make up the rest of the Sounders ownership group.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

May 31, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; United States midfielder Gio Reyna (7) with the ball in the first half at Bank of America Stadium

USMNT Doc Director on Reyna-Berhalter: Would’ve ‘Required Hours’

Rand Getlin told FOS he wasn’t going to “half-litigate” the controversy.

Champions League Fallout: Prize Money, Ill-Timed Arsenal Parade

Arsenal’s Premier League victory parade came one day after losing to PSG.
Frances Cabral-Delaney

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.

Dave Checketts Says Founding MLS Team Was His ‘Worst Investment’ 

Checketts cofounded Real Salt Lake in 2005 and sold it in 2013.

Featured Today

May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.
Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) walks to the on deck circle during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field
May 28, 2026

Why Ballparks Are Louder Than Ever

Some stadiums sound like veritable nightclubs. How did we get here?
May 24, 2026; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats attack Kathryn Ratanaproeksa (13) shoots against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Martin Stadium
May 26, 2026

Can Women’s Lacrosse Buck the Trend in College Sports?

The sport is fighting to prove its worth in the revenue-sharing era.
May 22, 2026

Big Money on the Line on Premier League’s Final Day

Arsenal has won the title, but millions are still at stake.
Serena Williams with her daughter Olympia, left, cheers for the Los Angeles Golf Club who won the TGL finals against Jupiter Links GC at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Serena Williams Confirms Tennis Comeback With Doubles Wild Card

The 23-time Grand Slam winner will play at the Queen’s Club Championship.
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 28, 2026 Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in action during his second round match against France's Moise Kouame REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
May 29, 2026

French Open Fines Player for ‘Sexist’ Comments Toward Female Umpire

Vallejo said his female official couldn’t handle a “demanding crowd.”
May 30, 2026

Shedeur Sanders Banked $17.7M in NFLPA Licensing Income

Sanders shattered the record set by Tom Brady in the 2021 season.
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
Jannik Sinner
May 28, 2026

French Open Favorite Jannik Sinner Suffers Second-Round Upset

It was 91 degrees Fahrenheit during the match.
May 26, 2026

French Open Organizers Meet With Players After Media Protest

Players are asking for 22% of revenue by 2030.
May 24, 2026; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kristian Gkolomeev (GRE) poses with Enhanced co-founder Max Martin after setting a world record in the 50m freestyle of 21.81 during the Enhanced Games at Resorts World Las Vegas.
May 25, 2026

Clean Athletes Stole the Show at the Enhanced Games

Three clean athletes won events against performance-enhancing peers.
May 22, 2026

Sabalenka, Sinner Lead Coordinated Media Protest at French Open

The players are seeking increased revenue and improved benefits from Grand Slams.