Athletes

Star-Studded Additions to Sounders’ Ownership Group

Aug 14, 2019 | 12:00 am

UPDATED Apr 21, 2020 | 04:14 am

*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.

What to Read

by Alex Schiffer

PSG in Champions League Final After Shedding Nine-Figure Superstar Salaries

PSG previously tried to win with a trio of Neymar, Messi, and Mbappé.

Apr 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Svi Mykhailiuk (19) shoots the ball during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Delta Center.

by Ben Horney

Why Money Is Flooding Into Utah Sports

Utah is vying for a new MLB franchise.

by David Rumsey

Leeds’ Rise: NFL Playbook, Premier League Stakes, ‘Untapped Potential’

Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe is bullish on surviving in the Premier League.

by Eric Fisher

Seattle Lands PWHL Franchise, Expanding Role in Women’s Sports Boom

The placement of a new franchise closely follows one made in Vancouver.

Featured Today

exclusive

by Ryan Glasspiegel

Shams Charania on Draft, Breaking Dončić Trade, ‘Whirlwind’ ESPN Tenure

Charania will work on his first NBA draft lottery for ESPN Monday.

Fat Perez reacts after hitting his shot on the 16th tee during the WHOOP Shot at Glory on the 16th hole at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 5, 2025.

May 7, 2025

Golf Influencers Are the New Currency for PGA Tour and LIV

YouTube golf is big business. The rival tours are staging formal events.

Feb 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson talks with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), forward Mikal Bridges (25), and guard Josh Hart (3) during a timeout in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.

May 6, 2025

Before the Villanova Knicks, There Were the Kentucky Celtics

Three decades ago, Boston tried its own version of the college-teammate experiment.

Mar 22, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Joao Fonseca (BRZ) reacts after winning a point against Ugo Humbert (FRA)(not pictured) on day five of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.

May 6, 2025

João Fonseca Is a Teen Tennis Phenom. His Parents Are Overseeing His..

The Brazilian is forgoing a management team in favor of his parents.

More in Athletes

by Colin Salao

Paige Bueckers Dispels Doubts, Praises Dallas Wings Organization

The Wings selected Bueckers with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.

May 7, 2025

USA Basketball Moving Women to Men’s Model Under Sue Bird

The move marks a major change for USA Basketball’s women’s operations.

May 8, 2025

Stars’ $96M Rantanen Bet Paying Off Big at Other Teams’ Expense

Rantanen was traded by Colorado after not agreeing to a contract extension.

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.