Sounders Eyeing a Home of Their Own Amid Ongoing Challenges

RENTON – The ambition of the Seattle Sounders to establish their own stadium has been on the cards for quite some time. Way back in 2003, prior to their landmark entry into Major League Soccer (MLS), they dabbled with the notion of a new ground on the old Midway landfill in Kent. Fast forward to around 2015, they even commissioned blueprints for a potential stadium at Seattle Center’s Memorial Stadium. Over the past year, they've openly toyed with the idea of a new venue on their current Longacres training site.

Last Friday, Adrian Hanauer’s remarks about a dedicated home for both the Sounders and the Reign struck a chord. “These soccer teams need a home, a home of their own, that feels, that smells like soccer 100% of the time,” he declared during a press conference aimed at clarifying the single ownership of the two clubs. “When you’re asking, ‘Now that you own the team, what does success look like?’ I think that will be part of my answer. Lumen Field is fantastic and has been an excellent home, but my gut says, having travelled and witnessed authentic football atmospheres, we ultimately need to forge our own path.”

The frustration is palpable among fans and analysts alike, as it becomes increasingly evident that the Sounders and Reign are essentially guests in someone else's stadium. Lumen Field, although built with a vision for high-quality football, primarily serves the needs of the Seahawks. With no permanent locker rooms or exclusive advertising rights, the spectre of the Sounders and Reign being sidelined is a worry. A recent instance involved the unexpected removal of 200 field-level seats without prior notice, leaving fans bewildered on match day.

Control over their own venue would alleviate these headaches, allowing both teams to govern concessions, parking, and the all-important atmosphere. While they boast commendable attendance and strong sponsorship numbers, their revenue lags behind due to the lack of ownership over their home ground. Among the clubs outperforming in financial terms are smaller market teams like Charlotte FC, Austin FC, and FC Cincinnati.

As the Sounders cast their eyes toward the future, the pressing reality remains: to truly compete with the best in MLS and NWSL, carving out a space to call their own is not just a dream, but a necessity.

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