Russell Wilson, Satya Nadella, Macklemore Take Ownership Stake in Sounders

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife, Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Ciara, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and his wife, Anu, are among a new group of investors in Major League Soccers Seattle Sounders.

They are among 11 families who have joined the teams ownership group. The amount invested wasnt released.

New investors also include hip-hop artist Macklemore and his wife, Tricia Davis; Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood and her husband, Max Kleinman; Microsoft executive Terry Myerson and his wife, Katie Myerson; and former Microsoft senior executive Soma Somasegar and his wife, Akila Somasegar. Soma Somasegar is now managing director of Seattle-based Madrona Venture Group.

Were fired up about being part of the Sounders for a long, long time, having ownership in the Sounders and continuing to build that winning culture, says Russell Wilson, a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback who led the Seahawks to victory in the 2014 Super Bowl. We believe this is a transformational sport. It changes peoples lives. It brings people together from all different countries, all different worlds, all different socio-economic statuses, all different races, all different troubles in life it brings people together.

Existing ownership includes Adrian Hanauer, who is the clubs majority owner; the celebrity Drew Carey; and Jody Allen, sister of the late Paul Allen. In addition to the new investors, Hanauer Futbol a group comprised of Hanauer, Paul Barry and Lenore Hanauer has increased its overall investment in the club.

Sounders FC founding owner Joe Roth also announced his departure from the club.

The Sounders are currently in second place in the Western Conference and rank second in 2019 MLS attendance, with an average of almost 40,000 fans per game.