SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC today announced that the club has worked with Major League Soccer on a new retail policy for championship stars to be included in the future production of all 2017 jerseys available later this year. Additionally, the embellishment of existing 2016-2017 Rave Green or Pacific Blue replica jerseys is now permitted. Effective immediately, this new policy is a result of collaboration between MLS, Sounders FC and the Alliance Council, which played a large role in advocating for the change.
“Sounders FC has always been a team that has a special connection with its fans, and a team that is guided by the principle of democracy in sports, thereby giving our supporters a voice,” said Bart Wiley, Sounders FC Chief Operating Officer. “Many fans expressed to us their concerns with the previous championship star policy, and we applaud Alliance Council leadership for representing their constituents to address those concerns with MLS and our organization. All parties put in a great deal of effort to reach a solution that allows every fan the ability to celebrate the incredible achievement of Sounders FC’s first MLS Cup championship.”
The placement of a championship star above club crests is a hallowed tradition in the soccer world following major titles. In previous years, league policy only allowed for championship stars to be placed upon authentic jerseys after MLS Cup victories. Moving forward this season, Seattle Sounders FC replicas – including women and kids fit jerseys – will also be produced with the championship star. MLS will look to reevaluate its policy on championship stars for future seasons. Following the Rave Green’s historic MLS Cup win in December, a groundswell of support for change from Seattle fans led the team’s Alliance Council to advocate for a shift in policy. Sounders FC officials embraced the position of Alliance Council, and MLS was amenable to adjusting the existing guidelines. The new championship star policy is being implemented immediately.
“The Alliance we represent – the passionate, vocal supporters of our club – stood up and were heard. We thank Major League Soccer and Seattle Sounders FC for resolving this,” said Stephanie Steiner, President of the Seattle Sounders FC Alliance Council. “This is for everyone – and we are happy to let every supporter show their love for their team by proudly wearing a star on the jersey that best represents them.”
All 2017 jerseys produced in the future and available later this year – whether authentic or replica – are now set to include the championship star above the team crest. In addition, fans who own a 2016 Rave Green or 2016 Pacific Blue replica jersey, or purchase an existing 2017 replica jersey, also have the option to have an official star added to their existing jersey for a cost of $5 per jersey. This process also includes the club’s forthcoming 2017 secondary kit, which is scheduled to be announced shortly. The post-production stars are being sent to the Pro Shop at CenturyLink Field, and fans interested in adding a championship star to their existing jersey should stay tuned to Sounders FC’s social channels and website, as those platforms will announce when stars are in stock. Fans are advised to call the Sounders FC Pro Shop at 206-682-2900, as embellished star inventory is expected to be intitially limited.
