New MLS franchise to be named Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Times news services

KIRKLAND — Seattle's new Major League Soccer club will be named Seattle
Sounders FC, the club announced today.

Over 14,500 fans registered their vote during the four-day election.
Approximately 50% of the voters submitted a write-in name, 49% of which
included a derivative of the name Sounders. The full name, Seattle Sounders
FC, will differentiate from the other teams with a similar name.

"We have heard the fans and are excited about moving forward," said majority
owner Joe Roth. "We are committed to build a team that will make the entire
region proud. A team that will play with the same passion the fans have
shown in selecting our name."

Traditionally, write-in campaigns rarely have an impact on the final results
but in this case the write-in name received over 20% more votes than the
other choices.

The name Sounders has been identified with soccer in this community since
1974. The name is locally-oriented, historic, and reflects the community.

"The team playing at the highest level in our region has always been called
Sounders," said general manager Adrian Hanauer. "Starting with the NASL and
then the USL 1st Division, we now have the chance to create a separate and
distinct identity with the new MLS team."

The "Seattle Sounders" name will be transferred from the ownership group of
the prior Seattle Sounders professional team, of which Adrian Hanauer is the
principal owner, to the new ownership group. Hanauer is also a member of the
new ownership group.

"The support of the soccer community in Seattle has been tremendous, far
exceeding our expectations including their interest and participation in the
team name," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

"There is a great history of tradition with the Sounders name and after much
discussion internally and with team ownership, I am convinced a great new
tradition can be established for the sport in the Pacific Northwest."

The team also revealed its badge and colors. The badge represents the
organization's personality, image, core competencies and characteristics. It
was developed with three distinct layers to represent the partnership
between the team, the community, and the fans. The partners are all united
under one banner which carries the team name. The club's colors will be
composed of Sounder Blue, Rave Green and Cascade Shale.

"Our fans are very passionate," said Vulcan Sports & Entertainment CEO Tod
Leiweke. "We offered the public an opportunity to participate in this
unprecedented approach in sports and their voice has been heard."

Copyright (c) 2008 The Seattle Times Company