Seattle Sounders FC today announced its complete regional broadcast lineup for the 2023 Major League Soccer season. This year brings a marked change, as Apple and MLS launch MLS Season Pass, an unprecedented subscription service offering every single match from every MLS club, without any local blackouts or restrictions. With this deal, all Sounders FC’s matches – both home and away – are available exclusively via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and accessible by anyone, anywhere in the world, with an internet connection.
With Apple taking over league-wide match rights, the Rave Green are dedicated to continuing to provide a robust array of regional coverage options for Sounders FC fans to follow the club, including radio and linear television offerings in both English and Spanish.
Seattle maintains existing radio partnerships with iHeartMedia and Sports Radio KJR 950 AM (English audio), in addition to El Rey 1360 AM (Spanish audio). Sounders FC is also continuing its partnership with FOX 13, working with Seattle’s FOX affiliate to provide expansive shoulder programming and unrivaled coverage of the club throughout the season, despite match broadcasts moving to Apple TV. In Spanish-language television, the Rave Green are continuing their relationship with Univision-Seattle, with studio show Sounders FC en Acción set to begin its fifteenth season on the air.
“It’s critically important that Sounders FC matches are accessible to all, both in our local communities as well as the global stage, which is why we are excited to offer fans a variety of viewing and listening platforms,” said Sounders FC President of Business Operations Hugh Weber. “Major League Soccer’s transformative partnership with Apple will launch this weekend making our games available to Sounders FC fans worldwide, while we simultaneously provide strong regional media options. Our flagship radio partnerships with iHeartMedia and El Rey 1360 AM, as well as our comprehensive shoulder programming on FOX 13 and Univision-Seattle, give fans of the Rave Green unique Sounders FC programming in both English and Spanish.”
BROADCAST TALENT LINEUP
Starting this season, Sounders FC’s new radio broadcast team features Danny Jackson stepping into the play-by-play chair following Keith Costigan’s hiring as a play-by-play voice for Apple’s coverage of MLS. Jackson is being joined in the booth by lead analyst and former Sounders FC winger Steve Zakuani, with former club captain Brad Evans heading a robust array of analysts that are working in-game coverage, in addition to pre-match, halftime and post-match commentary.
Jackson – a former USL Sounder and longtime contributor to the club’s radio products as an analyst – steps into the fulltime play-by-play position in 2023, taking over for Keith Costigan, who is now serving on national coverage for MLS with Apple. Jackson’s long history with the Rave Green makes him a natural fit as the club’s lead voice, having been involved with the Sounders in varying capacities for the past two decades. In addition to serving as an analyst on the club’s radio broadcasts for years, Jackson also worked in a radio play-by-play capacity during Costigan’s limited absences over the last two seasons, showing his capacity and talent for the role.
“We’re eager to welcome Danny back to the broadcast booth, this time in his new role as lead play-by-play voice of Sounders FC,” said Sounders FC SVP of Communications & Broadcasting Alex Caulfield. “Danny’s institutional knowledge of the Sounders, combined with his steady progression from the field to the microphone is something our club is really excited about. He has shown his ability as an analyst on our radio shows for years, and his advancement to the play-by-play role is an opportunity he’s grabbing with both hands. Danny is supported by some of the best soccer analysts in the business, starting with Steve Zakuani in the booth alongside him, and we’re proud of the entire talent and production team as we begin this new season. They’re going to deliver best-in-class coverage to the most passionate fan base in MLS.”
Working alongside Jackson in the booth as analysts are Zakuani and Evans, both notable former players with experience across the club’s television and radio products. Zakuani has served as a sideline reporter and in-booth analyst for Seattle’s television broadcasts since 2018, and now moves to the lead analyst role for radio coverage of the Rave Green. Evans has played a rotating role in the team’s television and radio coverage since 2020, as is set to reprise his versatile position in 2023.
Fan-favorite Michelle Ludtka, having spent years in-market as a reporter and anchor for FOX 13 and serving on Sounders FC broadcasts, also returns this season to work as a sideline analyst for home radio calls.
Supporting Sounders FC’s radio lineup is Jackson Felts, who continues in his role as host of radio pre-match, halftime and post-match coverage. Felts is joined by Pete Fewing – a fixture in the Seattle sporting community as the Head Coach of Seattle University’s successful men’s soccer program since 1993 and a regular voice on Sounders FC broadcasts – and Diego Arrioja – Univision-Seattle sports reporter and anchor – along with a rotating ensemble of former Sounders, including James Riley, Lamar Neagle and Marcus Hahnemann. The club’s production unit is led by Sounders FC Director of Broadcasting & Production Keely Dunning.
ENGLISH RADIO
In English radio, iHeartMedia continues as the flagship audio home of Sounders FC, marking the sixth consecutive year the two entities have worked together to produce topflight team coverage. Sports Radio 950 KJR AM is the primary home of Sounders FC matches in 2023, giving fans consistency in finding matchday action on terrestrial radio, while all contests are being simultaneously carried on iHeart’s streaming platform, and through the iHeartMedia mobile app and Sounders FC mobile app.
“As the flagship audio home of the Sounders, we’re excited for Sounders fans to experience our coverage of the team all season long across our platforms,” said Rich Moore, iHeartMedia SVP of Programming for Seattle & Portland. “From 950 KJR AM, to coverage on 93.3 KJR FM and iHeart’s digital network, we’re here for fans of the Rave Green and all the passion they bring to our community.”
Major club matches are set to be aired on 93.3 KJR FM, with a full schedule to be developed with iHeartMedia as the season unfolds.
In addition to match broadcasts, every Sounders FC game – both home and away – features a 30-minute pregame and postgame show, with discussion and analysis to satisfy the most ardent fan. Sounders Weekly also resumes in 2023, with Felts hosting the weekly 60-minute shoulder program on 93.3 KJR FM throughout the season on Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. PT. All Sounders Weekly shows are available live via iHeartRadio streaming and on demand via iHeart digital platforms.
Seattle Head Coach Brian Schmetzer continues his weekly segment with KJR’s Dave “Softy” Mahler and Dick Fain every Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. PT.
The club is also looking forward to working with iHeartMedia to curate original club content and programming to be made available via the Sounders-specific channel on the iHeartRadio digital platform, with more information to come.
APPLE TV INTEGRATION
In 2023, fans watching the club’s matches on Apple TV can choose from broadcast audio – provided by Apple’s broadcast teams calling each match – or home team regional radio calls. This means that for any Sounders FC home matches, fans watching the game can opt to hear Sounders FC’s radio team on the call as they watch the action. This option is not currently available for away matches.
SPANISH RADIO
El Rey 1360 AM continues in 2023 as the official Spanish-language home of Sounders FC. Through this partnership, the club will continue to explore ways to ensure matches will air on sister station KDNA 91.9 FM in the Yakima-Tri Cities area, giving Seattle fans east of the Cascades a consistent way to listen to coverage of their favorite club.
“We are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with Seattle Sounders FC, and we look forward to continuing to provide high-quality coverage and broadcasting for the club’s fans and our community,” said Jose Rios, General Manager of El Rey 1360 AM.
With play-by-play voice "Zuper" Mario Rodríguez alongside Felipe Maqueda and Carlos Tapia on the call, El Rey 1360 AM is set to carry all the Rave Green’s 34 MLS matches this season. El Rey 1360 AM also offers 30-minute pre and post-match shows as part of its matchday coverage, as well as a 30-minute weekly radio show, Somos Sounders FC. The latter is hosted by Felipe Maqueda, and he is joined by Carolina Antipolo, Carlos Tapia and Marlo Vilela, airing Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m. PT.
ENGLISH REGIONAL TELEVISION
Dating back to 2014, Sounders FC and FOX 13 maintain their strong and established partnership, as FOX 13 remains the official regional television partner of the Rave Green.
This renewed partnership centers on expansive shoulder programming and unrivaled team access and coverage. Fans looking to stay up-to-date on the latest Sounders developments need look no further than FOX 13, as The Sounders FC Weekly Wrap returns, inside of Seattle Sports Live, providing a weekly cadence of coverage surrounding the team throughout the season. Coverage is led by FOX 13 Sports Director Aaron Levine and Sports Anchor Alyssa Charlston.
FOX 13 is further producing three in-season specials to give deep dives of the team at certain points. Additionally, FOX 13 plans for expanded shoulder programming surrounding matches that air on linear Network FOX throughout the year – including March 18 vs. LAFC, April 1 at LA Galaxy and May 7 vs. Sporting Kansas City. The network is also dedicated to keeping fans abreast of major club moments, from expanded onsite programming for exciting moments like the June 3 doubleheader vs. Portland to key club announcements and major initiatives, like the ongoing March to the 50th campaign.
“There is no underestimating the huge popularity of Sounders FC,” said Sheila Oliver, Senior Vice President & General Manager of FOX 13 and FOX 13+. "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the team this year and bring fans in Western Washington big matches from the FOX network, highlights and a new show called Scarves Up that will engage fans and highlight the Sounders' enormous sports presence.”
New this season, Sounders FC is producing Scarves Up, an original 30-minute monthly shoulder program to focus on a variety of initiatives, from the best off-field storylines to lifestyle segments. Programmed and produced by the club, the show will be exclusively distributed by FOX 13 platforms. More information on this exciting development is forthcoming.
SPANISH REGIONAL TELEVISION
Longtime partner of the Rave Green, Univision-Seattle (KUNS-TV) returns in 2023 with its regular magazine-style program Sounders FC en Acción. Hosted by Jaime Mendez and Diego Arrioja, Sounders FC en Acción is in its 15th season, providing consistent Spanish-language coverage of the club on Univision Seattle all season long.
“Univision Seattle is excited to continue its long relationship with Seattle Sounders FC and bring coverage of the beautiful game to the region’s local Hispanic community,” said Chad Conklin, General Manager of Univision-Seattle.
A full schedule of all Sounders FC en Acción shows is being released in the near future.
SIDE X SIDE PODCAST
Additionally, Sounders FC’s _**Side x Side**_ weekly podcast returns in 2023, with co-hosts and Rave Green alumni Brad Evans and Steve Zakuani. Fans can listen wherever they get their podcasts, including Apple Podcasts. Live recordings are also being conducted throughout the season, beginning with Sunday’s MLS season-opener at Lumen Field, with Zakuani and Evans taking the stage in Lumen Field’s west concourse at 4:15 p.m. PT. The show is produced by Sounders FC’s Keely Dunning.
Sounders FC’s 2023 campaign promises no shortage of thrills, with a full slate home and away matches featuring all the rivalry and passion that fans of the Rave Green have come to expect. This year, MLS has additionally focused on building a schedule to best serve fans and drive destination viewing and attendance, with the majority of the Rave Green’s matches being played on Saturdays, and select Wednesdays, with 7:30 p.m. PT local start times, marking the most consistent and predictable slate in the team’s history.
Whether attending a game in person, following match action via Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass or regional radio, or diving deeper into their favorite club through regional partners’ shoulder programming, fans of Sounders FC have a diverse selection of ways to follow the club this season.
Single-match tickets for each of the club’s 17 MLS home matches are currently on sale. In addition, Sounders FC Season Memberships and Partial Season Ticket Packages are still available. To purchase single-match tickets or any other ticket packages, fans can call 877-657-4625 or email Sales@SoundersFC.com. Complete information on all Sounders FC ticket packages can be found via SoundersFC.com/Tickets.
