Chris Masse’s roots in the Pacific Northwest run deep.
Masse, who was unveiled as the new Chief Legal Officer for Sounders FC and Reign FC on Wednesday, originally hails from the Midwest but has spent almost 30 years in Seattle since attending law school at the University of Washington.
Prior to joining the Sounders and Reign organization, she spent 25 years at Miller Nash, a regional law firm with offices in Seattle. She started as a summer intern before rising the ranks for a glittering career that included serving as co-chair of the firm’s tribal team, chair of the cannabis industry team, and co-chair of the sports, entertainment and media team.
In addition to being an industry-leading legal expert, Masse is a passionate supporter of Seattle soccer.
“I’ve been a season ticket holder with the Sounders since the inaugural year,” Masse told SoundersFC.com. “I’m a big fan of both clubs, And the fact that this opportunity included the Reign was really exciting to me. I’ve been to the last two Women’s World Cups. I’ve coached a lot. My husband and I and our kids have been around the soccer community for a long time. At this point in my career, I know who I am and what I want to do. I really felt like I could be my most authentic self and it was a great fit.”
Masse is particularly excited about the chance to help grow the game with Reign FC. She grew up in the Midwest at a time when there was only one Division I women’s soccer program in the Big Ten. Despite the lack of opportunity, she has stayed involved in the sport and eagerly supported the explosive growth of women’s soccer around the world.
“I was in Lyon in 2019 when the United States Women’s National Team won the World Cup, and people started chanting ‘Equal Pay’ in the stadium,” she recalled. “To see that moment plus the potential and all the excitement and resources coming into the women’s game, and to have those coalesce into one opportunity with this organization is incredibly exciting. There’s so much growth potential.”
During her tenure working with Native American tribes at Miller Nash, Masse played a pivotal role in expanding their business holdings from casinos into hotels, restaurants, music venues, retail and more. While working in the cannabis space, she helped craft the framework for companies in a brand-new industry. She hopes those skills can be useful as the sports industry keeps evolving.
Masse joins the larger enterprise at a crucial moment in time, as the future of soccer in the region has never been brighter. In the past two years alone, the Sounders and Reign have been unified under one organization while Seattle has been named a host city for both the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“All of those things converging at a moment in time is a little daunting, but it’s also a ton of opportunity for both clubs, the city and the soccer community here in the Puget Sound,” said Masse. “I want to be a part of a system that helps both clubs have as much success possible."
“It’s really exciting to me to be able to take those 25 years of experience and try to flex that muscle in a way that could help two clubs that I’m really passionate about and have sky-is-the-limit potential. And seeing the ownership group being willing to invest in that to take it to the next level feels really encouraging.”
Decision Day
It all comes down to this: the biggest rivalry in MLS. We host the Portland Timbers in the final match of the regular season, with playoff seeding, Cascadia Cup, and Concacaf Champions Cup qualification on the line.
Add in the boundless potential for investment and development of the surrounding campus at the Providence Swedish Performance Center and Clubhouse, and both clubs are poised for a period of exponential progress. With the expanded business development, the enterprise can sustainably increase investment in soccer operations, ensuring both clubs can compete for trophies year-in, year-out.
“The sports business is so dynamic” said Masse. “It feels like it has moved beyond sports to sports, entertainment and media. To see that growth and be able to put my skills to the test toward solving the puzzle of making all the pieces fit is an interesting challenge”
Masse is still early in her tenure with the larger enterprise. She joins at a time when both clubs are moving into previously uncharted territory. According to Masse, she has been impressed by the way her new teammates are tackling innovative opportunities to ensure both the Sounders and Reign remain model clubs in their respective leagues.
“Everyone is sharing, everyone is thinking strategically and how all the pieces fit together,” she said. “There’s something that feels really invigorating, scrappy and gritty about trying to take what you have to the next level.”
