March 20, 2008
MLS Seattle Takes Lead with Democracy in Sports
KIRKLAND, WASH.— Soccer fans are invited to vote for the name of the new Major
League Soccer team in Seattle, the club announced today.
Fans will be able to vote online beginning on Thursday, March 27 at 12:01 a.m. (PT) and
conclude on Monday, March 31 at 11:59 p.m. (PT). Fans can register their vote at
The three naming options will be announced Tuesday, March 25, and were chosen
through fan focus groups, internal committees and fan suggestions, but will not include
Sounders.
“I have great respect for the Sounders and the club’s history,” said MLS Commissioner
Don Garber. “While we should celebrate the past, we believe the MLS Seattle team
should be about where we are headed tomorrow and help position the club globally.”
Fans will be allowed one vote per unique email address. MLS Seattle season ticket
deposit holders will receive the same number of votes as deposits purchased.
“The names which will be announced next Tuesday include one traditional soccer name,
while the other two are representative of the inclusive relationship we want to build with
our fans with an emphasis on democracy in sports,” said Vulcan Sports & Entertainment
President Tod Leiweke. “The final vote rests with our fans.”
MLS Seattle has hired Votenet™ Solutions, Inc. to provide a secure online voting system
and Deloitte & Touche to recount the results. The winning name will be revealed via live
“We are confident one of the three choices will resonate with our fans throughout the
Northwest,” said general manager Adrian Hanauer. “We spent a great deal of time
analyzing and debating possible names. Now it is up to the fans.”
MLS Seattle, which currently has just over 13,000 season ticket deposit holders, will play
its complete 18-game home schedule at Qwest Field beginning in March 2009.