Ken Griffey Jr. and family join Seattle Sounders FC ownership group
Nov 17, 2020, 1:51 PM
Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr.'s ties to Seattle just got a little stronger. (Getty)
(Getty)
The Seattle Sounders FC have added more star power to their ownership lineup, announcing Tuesday that Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and family have become a part of the club’s ownership.
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The Griffey family joins Seattle luminaries Russell Wilson and Ciara, Macklemore and wife Tricia Davis, and Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke and wife Tara as recent additions to the Rave Green’s ownership group.
“Ken Griffey Jr. is a name that requires no introduction, whether in Seattle or across the sports world, and we couldn’t be more proud to welcome Ken and his family into our club,” said Sounders FC Majority Owner Adrian Hanauer in a press release. “As a lifelong resident of this great city, bringing someone like Ken into Sounders FC holds a special significance to me, as he is truly a part of Seattle sports’ heart and soul. We value the contributions that he will add as a partner in our club and welcome him and his family with open arms.”
A club true to its city. 🏡
We welcome Ken Griffey Jr. and his wife, Melissa, to the Sounders Family!
📝 https://t.co/ErZyLgF6f3 pic.twitter.com/861Oy9SM3x
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) November 17, 2020
While he lives in Florida, Griffey’s ties to Seattle have not faded in the years since he retired from the game. With his wife growing up playing soccer in Washington, the move is a natural one for “The Kid” who, as always, put family first in discussing his newest endeavor.
“This is a meaningful day for our entire family,” Griffey said. “My wife Melissa and I said that we wanted to be a part of something special, not only for ourselves, but for our kids to be proud of, and this is it. We know how much this club means to Sounders fans, and for us, this comes back to the city where it all started for our family. We are joining a first-class organization, and we are so proud to give back to the city we love. To the Seattle Sounders community: we are inspired to become part of what you have created. Like you, we are excited to get behind our incredible team as the players prepare for this year’s playoff run.”
In a video interview put out by the club, Griffey explained that the Sounders first came across his radar when he was living downtown during his second stint with the Mariners. With a game on the television, he realized the crowd sounded different and wondered if what he was hearing was the actual crowd.
“I turned down the TV and opened the window and it was really this loud so it was really pretty exciting for me from a fan standpoint to be like, oh, that place is rocking down there, so it makes you want to get more involved,” he said.
Griffey has since had the opportunity to experience the Sounders crowd from the field, leading the fans in “Scarves Up” prior to the 2019 MLS Cup championship game Seattle won.
While the announcement came Tuesday, the Griffey family’s ownership stake was finalized earlier this year prior to the pandemic. They join an organization that holds a league-record 11 consecutive postseason appearances and has won MLS Cup Championships in 2016 and 2019.
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