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Seattle Reign FC
Seattle Reign FC
from Wikipedia

Seattle Reign FC is an American professional soccer team based in Seattle, Washington, that competes in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Founded in 2012, it is one of eight inaugural members of the NWSL. Since June 2024, the Reign are owned by the private equity firm the Carlyle Group and Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders FC.[3] The team has reached the NWSL Championship three times (2014, 2015, 2023), losing each time.

Key Information

In 2020, OL Groupe, the parent company of French clubs Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, became the team's majority owner and the team played as OL Reign from 2020 to 2023.[4][5] Laura Harvey is the team's head coach; she led the team to two consecutive NWSL Shield wins in 2014 and 2015 and a third in 2022.[6]

Seattle Reign FC has played its home matches at Lumen Field since 2022. The team previously played at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila (2013), at Memorial Stadium (2014–2018), and at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma (2019–2021).

History

[edit]

Establishment

[edit]

Although Seattle never had a professional women's soccer team in the Women's United Soccer Association nor Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) during either league's existence, the city was home to Seattle Sounders Women, a USL W-League team mainly composed of amateur players that was affiliated with Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer; following news of the imminent demise of WPS in January 2012, a handful of players from the United States women's national soccer team (USWNT) joined the Sounders Women for part of the 2012 W-League season. The Athletic cited the resulting close relationship between the Sounders Women and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) in conditioning the USWNT players, along with significant fan interest generated during their stint with the team, as major factors that led the USSF to consider Seattle as a viable candidate for a team in a new professional league.[7]

In response to the demise of WPS, the USSF announced in June that it would found a new professional women's soccer league (later named National Women's Soccer League) and invite prospective team owners to submit applications.[8] Bill Predmore, founder and CEO of Seattle-based digital marketing agency, POP, submitted his application pitch for a team tentatively named Seattle Sirens FC.[9] In November 2012, it was confirmed that Predmore's application had been accepted and there would be a Seattle-based women's professional soccer team in 2013.[1][10] On December 19, 2012, the team name was unveiled as Seattle Reign FC, named in honor of the 1990s Seattle Reign women's basketball team.[11] Amy Carnell, a former general manager of the Sounders Women and Sounders FC's director of youth programs, was named general manager of the Reign.[12]

2013: Inaugural season

[edit]
Goalkeeper Hope Solo makes a save during a match against the Chicago Red Stars on July 25, 2013, at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Washington.

On December 21, 2012, the team announced Laura Harvey as its first head coach. Harvey was head coach of Arsenal L.F.C. from 2010–2012 after serving as an assistant for two years, assisted and then coached Birmingham City L.F.C. from 2002 to 2008, and served as an assistant coach for England's U-17, U-19 and U-23 women's national teams from 2005 to 2011.[13] Before the regular season, Harvey took over as general manager after Amy Carnell resigned.[14]

On January 11, 2013, Kaylyn Kyle, Teresa Noyola, Megan Rapinoe, Amy Rodriguez, Jenny Ruiz, Hope Solo, and Emily Zurrer were named to the team as part of the NWSL Player Allocation.[15][16][17] On January 18, the Reign selected Christine Nairn, Mallory Schaffer, Kristen Meier, and Haley Kopmeyer at the 2013 NWSL College Draft.[18][19] On February 4, 2013, it was announced that the team had signed four free agents: Kate Deines, Jess Fishlock, Tiffany Cameron, and Lindsay Taylor.[20] During the 2013 NWSL Supplemental Draft, the team selected Nikki Krzysik, Lauren Barnes, Laura Heyboer, Liz Bogus, Michelle Betos and Kaley Fountain.[21]

Seattle Reign FC posed for a photo before a match against the Chicago Red Stars on July 25, 2013.

Leading into the preseason, it was learned that the Reign would be without all of their American allocated players for almost half of the season. Amy Rodriguez announced she was pregnant with her first child and would not be playing during the inaugural season.[22] Hope Solo would be away for the first part of the season after recovering from wrist surgery and Megan Rapinoe had already signed with French club Olympique Lyonnais from January to June and would miss at least nine games.[23][24] After traveling to Japan in the preseason to play matches against defending L. League champion INAC Kobe Leonessa, Fukuoka J. Anclas, and Nojima Stella Kanagawa,[25] the Reign faced their first regular season match against the Chicago Red Stars at Benedictine University, in which Seattle's first college draft pick Christine Nairn scored the Reign's first goal of the season via a header off an assist from Liz Bogus.[26] The point that Seattle earned in the game would be its only for the next nine games.[27]

In June 2013, head coach Laura Harvey began making some trades and signing new international players. With the trades and the return of Solo and Rapinoe, the Reign began to turn the season around with a 1–1 tie against the Western New York Flash.[28] The game would be the first of a six-game undefeated streak for the Reign with two ties and four wins.[29] After losing to regional rival Portland Thorns FC 2–1 in the season finale in front of a sold-out crowd of 3,855, the Reign ended the 2013 NWSL season seventh in the league with a 5–14–3 record.[30]

2014–2018: Seattle years

[edit]

2014 season

[edit]

During the 2014 season, the Reign set a league record unbeaten streak of 16 games. During the 16-game stretch, the Reign compiled a 13–0–3 record. The streak came to an end July 12, 2014, in a match against the Chicago Red Stars that ended 1–0 in favor of the Red Stars.[31] The team finished first in the regular season clinching the NWSL Shield for the first time.[32] After defeating the Washington Spirit 2–1 in the playoff semifinals, the Reign was defeated 2–1 by FC Kansas City during the championship final.[33] Following the regular season, the team earned several league awards. Kim Little won the Golden Boot[34] and Most Valuable Player awards;[35] Laura Harvey was named Coach of the Year;[36] Kendall Fletcher, Jess Fishlock, Little and Nahomi Kawasumi were named to the NWSL Best XI team while goalkeeper Hope Solo and defenders Lauren Barnes and Stephanie Cox were named to the Second XI team.[37]

2015 season

[edit]

The Reign finished the 2015 season in first place clinching the NWSL Shield for the second consecutive time.[38] After defeating the Washington Spirit 3–0 in a playoff semifinal, the Reign was defeated 1–0 by FC Kansas City during the championship final in Portland.[39] Following the regular season, the team earned several league award nominations. Kim Little, Jess Fishlock, and Bev Yanez were nominated for league Most Valuable Player, Laura Harvey was nominated for Coach of the Year; and Lauren Barnes and Kendall Fletcher were nominated for Defender of the Year.[40]

Laura Harvey was ultimately named Coach of the Year for a second consecutive year.[41] Barnes, Little, Yanez, and Fishlock were named to the NWSL Best XI team while Kendall Fletcher, Stephanie Cox, Megan Rapinoe, and Keelin Winters were named to the Second XI team.[42]

2016 season

[edit]

The Reign finished the 2016 season in fifth place with a 8–6–8 record, narrowly missing a playoff spot by two points.[43] The season was complicated by a number of players being unavailable during the early part of the season due to injury including Manon Melis,[44] Jess Fishlock[45] and Megan Rapinoe.[46] In early July, Nahomi Kawasumi returned to the Reign for the first time since the 2014 season and scored a brace in her first match with the team.[47] Rachel Corsie and Haley Kopmeyer suffered injuries during a match in July against the Western New York Flash that was controversially played on a baseball field.[48][49] Schedule changes from previous years were announced in February that resulted in an imbalance amongst team matchups.[50]

In late August, the Reign announced that Hope Solo was taking a leave of absence for the remainder of the season after being suspended from the U.S. national team.[51] In September, four-year team captain Keelin Winters announced her retirement for the end of the season.[52] On October 17, midfielder Kim Little announced that she would leave the Reign and return to Arsenal. Harvey said Little was given an "incredible offer" of a multi-year contract, though no other details were disclosed.[53]

2017 season

[edit]
Seattle Reign forwards Beverly Yanez and Megan Rapinoe in a match against the Chicago Red Stars, June 28, 2017.
Seattle Reign forwards Beverly Yanez and Megan Rapinoe in a match against the Chicago Red Stars, June 28, 2017.

Following the loss of core players Kim Little and Keelin Winters following the 2016 season, the Reign faced a bit of re-structuring for the 2017 season. Three 2017 NWSL College Draft rookies were signed including defender Maddie Bauer, forward Katie Johnson, and midfielder Kristen McNabb. With Kim Little moving back to Arsenal, the Reign re-signed attacking midfielder Christine Nairn, who had played for the team during its inaugural season.[54] The team also signed Canadian international Diana Matheson and Australian international Larissa Crummer, though they spent the majority of the season injured, as well as New Zealand international defender Rebekah Stott.[54] The Reign finished in fifth place for the second consecutive season narrowly missing a playoff spot after losing 1–0 to Kansas City.[55][56] Megan Rapinoe was the team's leading scorer (and league's third highest) with 12 goals.[57][56] Her season performance contributed to her nomination as FIFA World Player of the Year the following year.[58]

2018 season

[edit]

After two consecutive seasons of fifth-place finishes and thus outside of the playoffs, head coach and general manager Laura Harvey stepped down and was replaced by former rival Vlatko Andonovski as new head coach of the team.[59] The amicable transition nonetheless led to new vision for the team and new players, with Andonovski bringing in 11 new players on the season-opening roster. Notably, Andonovski traded for US international Allie Long and Australian international Steph Catley, while English international Jodie Taylor and Danish international Theresa Nielsen joined on free transfers from abroad. The refreshed team performed well throughout the season and remained largely in second place behind a dominant North Carolina Courage team, until a loss to Cascadia rival Portland Thorns FC at the end of the regular season dropped it to third place. This set up a semi-final rematch with the Thorns FC away from home, which the team lost 2–1. Despite the late slide, Andonovski led the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2015 in his first season in charge.

2019–2021: Relocation to Tacoma

[edit]

On January 30, 2019, the team announced that it would relocate to Cheney Stadium in Tacoma for the 2019 season and re-brand itself as Reign FC.[60] This relocation, as well as two new minority ownership groups (Mikal Thomsen, owner of the Tacoma Rainiers and Adrian Hanauer, owner of the Seattle Sounders FC, as well as his mother, philanthropist Lenore Hanauer),[61] secured the team's long-term future by addressing long-standing stadium issues.[62] A new soccer-specific 5,000 capacity stadium that would host Reign and Tacoma Defiance games was planned adjacent to Cheney Stadium.[63]

2019 season

[edit]

In their first season playing in Tacoma, the Reign finished 4th in the regular season, to qualify for the NWSL Playoffs but were knocked out by the North Carolina Courage in the semi-final.

2020 season

[edit]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the regular season was cancelled in 2020. Instead, the newly renamed OL Reign took part in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup and the NWSL Fall Series.

2021 season

[edit]

Head coach Farid Benstiti resigned in July for undisclosed reasons; a joint investigation by the league and the players' association in December 2022 found that he abused players by "weight-shaming" them.[64] The Reign finished 2nd in the regular season, led first by interim coach Sam Laity and then by Laura Harvey after her return. They fell once again in the semi-final, this time to the eventual champions Washington Spirit.

Since 2022: Return to Seattle

[edit]

2022 season

[edit]

The club announced in December 2021 that it would be returning to Seattle with Lumen Field as their new home stadium while continuing to train and operate out of Tacoma.[65] In the Challenge Cup, the Reign finished first in the West Division and earned the top seed overall but lost in the semifinal against the Washington Spirit in a penalty shoot-out. The team also won the mid-season invitational Women's Cup final against Louisville. In their final regular-season match, the Reign won the 2022 NWSL Shield, the team's third.[6]

2023 season

[edit]

The Reign moved their training facility to Starfire Sports.[66] The club will become Starfire's main soccer tenant and operate out of there in 2024, after Seattle Sounders FC moves to their own facility.[67] The team finished the 2023 season as runners-up in the NWSL Championship, losing 2–1 to NJ/NY Gotham FC. At the end of this season, forward Megan Rapinoe announced her retirement after eleven seasons with the club.[68]

Colors and badge

[edit]
Historical badges
2013–2018 (primary)
2020–2023 (primary)

On December 19, 2012, the team's name was unveiled as Seattle Reign FC. The team's colors were announced as white, platinum, royal blue and midnight black along with a neon green away colors[11] The name was selected in part as homage to the first professional women's sports team in Seattle, the Seattle Reign, a defunct professional basketball team in the American Basketball League.[11] That team was in turn named after its location in King County, and as a pun alluding to Seattle's rainy climate. In conjunction with the colors, the team also released its primary and alternate badges: the primary badge features a queen wearing a platinum crown (in a reference to the team name), while the alternate badge is monochrome and foregrounds the crown itself.[69]

Owner Bill Predmore stated, "Today's announcement is the result of a thoughtful process to identify the name that best represents the values of our club, articulates our long-term ambitions and celebrates the community within which our supporters live. Reign FC meets all of those objectives and at the same time honors the legacy of professional women's sports in Seattle. Like the Seattle Sounders, whose fans selected a name that honored those who pioneered the sport of soccer in Seattle in the early 1970s, Seattle Reign FC was, in part, selected to pay homage those visionaries – the leaders and players of the Seattle Reign women's basketball team – who pioneered professional women's sports in Seattle."[69]

On January 30, 2019, it was announced that the team would relocate to Tacoma, Washington, and rename as simply Reign FC. As part of the rebrand, the team released a slightly modified visual identity and a new primary team badge that removed the word "Seattle" from the original badge.[70]

Following the acquisition of the team by OL Groupe in January 2020, the team announced another rebrand on March 6, 2020, as OL Reign, with new primary colors of blue, white, and gold to match those from Olympique Lyonnais and a new team badge that includes the lion as a symbol for Lyon.[5]

The team returned to its original name of Seattle Reign FC on January 9, 2024, with a modified version of the original crest.[71] The crest remains primarily blue and black with gold used for the crown to symbolize the team's NWSL Shields.[72]

Sponsorship

[edit]

In April 2013, Moda Health was announced as the team's jersey sponsor.[73] The company remained the jersey sponsor for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. In 2016, Microsoft was named as the new jersey sponsor and "presenting partner".[74] The team also uses Microsoft technology on and off the pitch as part of the partnership.[74]

In January 2019, Seattle-based online retailer Zulily was announced as the team's new presenting partner and third-ever jersey sponsor.[75] On the same day, Seattle Sounders FC also announced Zulily as its new jersey partner, making it the first time that both men's and women's professional soccer teams in Seattle share the same jersey sponsor and Seattle only the second-ever American city to hold this distinction.[76] Despite the new jersey sponsor, Microsoft remains the team's technology partner and will continue to provide sports analytics to the coaching staff.[77] During an unveiling event for the new secondary jersey in April 2019, aerospace corporation Boeing was announced as a kit sponsor for a slot on the back of both jerseys.[78] The jersey partnership with Zulily concluded after the 2020 season.[79]

Heading into the 2021 season, the Reign started featuring the Black Future Co-op Fund on the front of their jerseys as an in-kind donation to the Fund, until they could secure a new sponsorship.[80][81] While the search for a front-of-jersey sponsor continued, Tacoma-based healthcare group MultiCare Health System was announced as a back-of-kit sponsor (alongside Boeing) at the start of the 2022 regular season.[82]

Before the 2025 season, the Reign announced that the Black Future Co-op Fund would no longer be featured as the club continued its search for a front-of-jersey sponsor.[83] In October 2025, after nearly five years, the Reign secured Seattle-based pet insurance provider Trupanion as the club's new front-of-jersey sponsor.[84][81]

Seasons Jersey manufacturer Front-of-jersey sponsor
2013–2015 Nike Moda Health
2016–2018 Microsoft
2019–2020 Zulily
2021–2024 Black Future Co-op Fund[a]
Since 2025 Trupanion
  1. ^ The Reign "donated [their] front-of-kit position to the Black Future Co-op Fund through a player-led initiative" while they searched for a traditional sponsor.[81]

Stadium

[edit]
Seattle Reign FC have played their home matches at Lumen Field on a regular basis since 2022

During the inaugural season of the NWSL, Reign FC played at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Washington.[85] The stadium is located approximately 12 miles from downtown Seattle and is the training facility for Seattle Sounders FC, as well as where the Sounders play their U.S. Open Cup matches. With a seating capacity for 4,500 spectators, the stadium also features a press box with full scoreboard and sound system capabilities. The pitch features FieldTurf.[86]

In February 2014, it was announced that the team would be moving to Memorial Stadium, located at the Seattle Center, for at least the 2014 and 2015 seasons;[87] the Reign chose to remain there beyond the originally intended two seasons. The stadium features an artificial turf pitch that was installed in 2013 and a seating capacity of 12,000 spectators, although seating capacity was set at 6,000 for the beginning of the 2014 season.[88] The stadium was the previous home of the Seattle Sounders from 1974 to 1975 when the team played in the North American Soccer League (NASL) and from 1995 to 2002 when the new incarnation of the team played in the A-League.[88]

In late 2017, the team's future in Seattle beyond 2018 was seen as uncertain due to issues with Memorial Stadium. The facility does not meet league standards for playing surfaces set to be enforced in 2019. Additionally, the stadium is owned by the Seattle School District, which has announced plans to build a new high school in that area of the city, with the stadium being the most likely site. The Reign were seen by national soccer media as lacking viable options for a replacement—other possible venues in the region are problematic due to size, location, or ancillary facilities.[89] Reign FC owner Bill Predmore initially responded that, despite these challenges, the team would remain at Memorial Stadium for 2019.[90] However, newly enforced standards by U.S. Soccer and NWSL made this untenable, and the team relocated to Tacoma, Washington, in January 2019.[77] The Reign planned to play temporarily at Cheney Stadium while a soccer-specific stadium shared with Tacoma Defiance was constructed. The new venue was originally set to open in 2021, but has since been delayed indefinitely due to feasibility issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[91] During their time in Tacoma, the team leased a practice field from Bellarmine Preparatory School and shared space with Foss High School.[92][93]

In December 2021, The Reign announced that Lumen Field will become its home stadium beginning in 2022.[65] Lumen Field has a capacity of 68,740; standard configuration for Reign games seats 10,000 but can expand based on demand for individual games.[2] With the move back to Seattle, the team also exited the planned soccer-specific stadium project in Tacoma.[91] The team also moved their practice facilities to Starfire Sports prior to the 2023 season; the team were allocated a new field that would be used until they replaced the Sounders, who moved to their new Longacres facility in 2024.[93] After the Reign were acquired by the Sounders ownership group, plans to share the new Longacres facility were discussed by the two teams.[94]

Broadcasting

[edit]

As of 2020, NWSL matches are broadcast on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+. International viewers can watch on nwslsoccer.com. In 2023, the league announced additional international streaming deals with DAZN and Tigo.[95]

From 2013 to 2016, Seattle Reign games were streamed live by Bootstrapper Studios via YouTube. The broadcasts were called by KOMO News Radio Sports Director, Tom Glasgow, with color commentary provided by Lesle Gallimore, head coach of the Washington Huskies.[96] During the 2013 season, a select number of league games were broadcast on Fox Sports.[97] During the 2014 season, several league games were broadcast by ESPN.[98]

In March 2015, the team became one of the first sports teams to use the newly released app Periscope to stream a preseason friendly against the Portland Pilots.[99] In 2015, six select regular season games and the playoff matches were broadcast by Fox Soccer.[100] The playoff final featuring Reign FC and FC Kansas City set what was then a league record, averaging 167,000 viewers on Fox Sports 1 – an increase of 7 percent compared to the 2014 final broadcast on ESPN2.[101] That record stood until the 2016 NWSL finals between Western New York and Washington, which averaged more than 180,000 viewers.[102]

In 2017, Reign games were streamed exclusively by Go90 for American audiences and via the NWSL website for international viewers.[103] As part of a three-year agreement with A&E Networks, Lifetime broadcasts one NWSL Game of the Week on Saturday afternoons.[104][105] For the 2017 season, the Reign were featured in nationally televised Lifetime NWSL Game of the Week broadcasts on May 27, July 8, August 26, and September 9, 2017.[106] During the 2018 season, Lifetime match broadcasts featuring Seattle include May 5, July 21, and August 11, 2018.[107]

In 2024, 11 Reign games were available on KONG-TV through a local broadcast partnership with KING 5 Media Group.[108] KCPQ took over as the Reign's local station for 2025.[109]

Supporters

[edit]

The first supporters group formed for the Reign is the Royal Guard. Founded by Matt Banks and Kiana Coleman in April 2013, the group became the first organized supporters group for a women's professional sports team in Washington state's history.[110][111][112] Other supporters groups for the team have included Fortune's Favourites and Queen Anne Collective.[113][114]

Rivalries

[edit]
Rivalry match against Portland Thorns FC at Lumen Field in August 2021

Like the Seattle Sounders FC rivalry with the Portland Timbers, the Reign has a long-standing regional rivalry[115] with Portland Thorns FC.[116] In May 2015, a match between the two teams in Portland set a new attendance record with 21,144 fans cheering in the stadium.[117] Their August 29, 2021, meeting was played at Lumen Field in Seattle as part of a doubleheader with the Sounders and Timbers, drawing 27,248 spectators to break the league's attendance record.[118]

After losing twice to FC Kansas City during the NWSL championship final in 2014 and 2015 despite winning first place in the league, the Reign also considered FC Kansas City to be a rival.[119][120] However, Kansas City folded after the 2017 season, with their head coach Vlatko Andonovski joining the Reign.

An expansion team returned to the Kansas City area in 2021, and the rivalry was revived in 2022 when the Kansas City Current won the playoff semifinal in front of a record-breaking crowd of 21,491 in Seattle.[121] A team from Kansas City has eliminated the Reign in the playoffs in all three of the club's Shield-winning seasons.[122]

Ownership and management

[edit]

Seattle Reign FC was wholly owned by Bill and Teresa Predmore from its establishment until January 2019.[60] Bill Predmore was a co-founder and the CEO of POP, a Seattle-based digital marketing agency.[123] Prior to the start of the first season, Predmore stated, "Ultimately, my goal is to build the best women's club in the world. That won't happen tomorrow or this year, but in 10 years or 20 years that's where we want to be."[124] Predmore's wife, Teresa, played college soccer at Oregon State University and soccer is one of her lifelong passions.[124]

Leading up to the inaugural season of the NWSL, Amy Carnell was named general manager for the team. Within a week of regular season play, Carnell resigned from her position citing "personal reasons" and head coach Laura Harvey assumed the role – a setup similar to what she was used to as coach of the Arsenal L.F.C. in England.[14][125][126]

Following the 2017 season, Laura Harvey resigned as general manager and head coach of the team, and Vlatko Andonovski was hired from FC Kansas City as the new head coach.[59] Andonovski and Harvey had been the two most successful coaches in NWSL history, with three Coach of the Year awards and four trophies between them, and Andonovski was the only replacement Harvey endorsed.[127] Andonovski further complimented Harvey's positive impacts and committed to continue playing a "beautiful game" with the Reign.[128]

Before the 2018 season, the team announced an agreement with Force 10 Sports Management, LLC, for it to manage ticket sales and services.[129] Force 10 Sports Management owns and operates the Seattle Storm, a standalone professional women's basketball team in the WNBA, much like the Reign.[130]

On January 30, 2019, the Reign announced that it would move to Tacoma, Washington.[60] As part of the move, the team announced two new minority owners: the Baseball Club of Tacoma LLC (the owner and operator of the Tacoma Rainiers, led by Mikal Thomsen), as well as Seattle Sounders FC majority owner Adrian Hanauer and his mother Lenore Hanauer. Bill and Teresa Predmore remained the team's majority owners, and Bill the team president, after the additional investments. The relocation also brought previous management agreement with Force 10 Sports Management to an end, with the Tacoma Rainiers taking over similar responsibilities at Cheney Stadium.[70]

After winning the 2019 NWSL Coach of the Year award, head coach Vlatko Andonovski resigned to manage the United States women's national soccer team on October 28, 2019.[131] As his departure had been anticipated, co-owner and president Bill Predmore had already begun the search for Andonovski's successor since early September.[132]

On November 25, 2019, majority owner Bill Predmore announced his entry into exclusive negotiations to sell the team to OL Groupe, the parent company of French clubs Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin.[133] Jean-Michel Aulas, president of OL Groupe, had been public about his desire to acquire an NWSL team as part of Lyon's international ambitions.[134] After the sale was completed, previous majority owners Bill and Teresa Predmore retained a minority stake in the team, while previous minority owners Adrian Hanauer and Tacoma Soccer Ventures no longer had ownership positions.[133] On December 19, 2019, the team announced that the parties entered into a definitive agreement for the sale to be completed in January 2020.[135] The team's total assets were valued at $3.51 million,[4] and OL Groupe would pay $3.145 million to acquire an 89.5 percent ownership stake in the team.[136] It was also announced on the same day that French basketball player Tony Parker, a business partner of OL Groupe, would also pay to acquire a 3% ownership stake, that Aulas would become chairman of the team's board of directors, and that a chief operating officer would be appointed to support the CEO Bill Predmore.[135] OL Groupe executive Vincent Berthillot was later appointed as the COO.[137]

On January 17, 2020, French coach Farid Benstiti was announced as the third head coach in team history.[138] This was followed by the announcement that the team would rebrand as "OL Reign" as part of the takeover.[5] Gérard Houllier was appointed the team's technical director in November 2020,[139] but he died a month later.[140] Benstiti resigned on July 2, 2021.[141] On July 15, 2021, the team announced that Laura Harvey would return as head coach after the Tokyo Olympics.[142]

On September 30, 2021, CEO Bill Predmore confirmed that he asked for former head coach Farid Benstiti's resignation after a player reported inappropriate comments made by Benstiti.[143] Despite a formal complaint being made to the NWSL, Predmore did not disclose details behind Benstiti's resignation at the time.[141] Benstiti was initially hired despite allegations of similar behavior in the past,[144] and Predmore's withholding of information continues a pattern of institutional failure in the NWSL where coaches and personnel under investigation for misconduct were allowed to leave quietly and take up other positions where they could still do harm.[143][145]

In February 2022, club founders Bill and Teresa Predmore announced that they would step down from their operational roles as club CEO and president of the club's youth academy, respectively, while remaining as the club's minority owners.[146] Former COO Vincent Berthillot succeeded Bill Predmore as the club's CEO, while a general manager dedicated to soccer operations would be appointed.[147] Later that month, the club announced Nick Perera, captain of the United States men's national beach soccer team, as the new general manager after serving as executive director of Washington Youth Soccer.[148] Perera departed the club in March 2023.[149]

In April 2023, Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang announced plans to purchase a majority stake in OL Féminin. As both the Reign and OL Féminin were owned by OL Groupe, Kang's plans would create a conflict of interest between the Reign and the Spirit.[150] As a result, OL Groupe announced its intent to sell the Reign and hired the investment bank Raine Group to organize the sale process.[151] While the sale process is ongoing, the Reign announced Lesle Gallimore as the club's new general manager in May 2023.[152] In October 2023, OL Groupe also announced that it had bought out Bill and Teresa Predmore's 7.5% ownership stake for $2 million at some point after June 30, 2023.[153] Although OL Groupe still retained its ownership for another few months, the team's affiliation with Olympique Lyonnais and OL Féminin ended after December 31, 2023.[154] The team subsequently returned to its original name of Seattle Reign FC on January 9, 2024,[71] while the sale process continued as of February 8, 2024.[155]

On March 17, 2024,[156] it was announced that the private equity firm the Carlyle Group, in collaboration with Seattle Sounders FC, had reached a deal to purchase OL Groupe's 97% stake in Seattle Reign for $58 million; the purchase is subject to approval from the NWSL and MLS.[157] The transaction was finalized on June 17, 2024,[3] with Tony Parker's 3% stake included in the transaction as well.[158] While the Carlyle Group is the majority owner, the Sounders are the Reign's managing owner and Adrian Hanauer is representing the team on the league's board of governors.[159]

Ownership history

[edit]
Tenure Owners Ref.
Founding – January 29, 2019 Bill and Teresa Predmore [60]
January 30, 2019 – January 2020 Bill and Teresa Predmore (majority) [60]
Adrian and Lenore Hanauer
The Baseball Club of Tacoma LLC/Tacoma Soccer Ventures
January 2020 – 2023[a] OL Groupe (89.5%) [135]
Bill and Teresa Predmore (7.5%)
Tony Parker (3%)
2023[a] – June 16, 2024 OL Groupe (97%) [153]
Tony Parker (3%)
Since June 17, 2024 The Carlyle Group (majority) [3]
Seattle Sounders FC
  1. ^ a b In 2023, OL Groupe bought out Bill and Teresa Predmore's ownership stake at some point between June 30, when its 2022–23 fiscal year ended, and October 31, when it published its 2022–23 fiscal year annual report.[153][160]

Executive history

[edit]

This table lists only the highest-level executive at the club at any given time during the club's history.

Name Tenure Title Ref.
Amy Carnell Founding – April 7, 2013 General manager [161]
Laura Harvey April 8, 2013 – November 6, 2017 General manager [59]
Bill Predmore November 7, 2017 – January 2020 President [59]
January 2020 – February 1, 2022 Chief executive officer [133][146]
Vincent Berthillot February 2, 2022 – June 16, 2024 Chief executive officer [146]
Maya Mendoza-Exstrom Since June 17, 2024 Chief business officer [3]

Academy

[edit]

The team operates the Seattle Reign Academy, which is based at Starfire Sports in Tukwila, Washington. The academy has been affiliated with the U.S. Soccer Development Academy system since it was founded in 2017.[162][163] The Reign also operate an amateur team, Seattle Reign FC II, that joined the Women's Premier Soccer League in 2024.[164]

Players and staff

[edit]

Squad

[edit]
As of October 9, 2025.[165]
No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  USA Claudia Dickey
2 MF  USA Maddie Mercado
3 DF  USA Lauren Barnes (captain[166])
5 FW  USA Maddie Dahlien
6 FW  USA Lynn Biyendolo
7 FW  SUI Ana-Maria Crnogorčević
8 MF  WAL Angharad James-Turner
9 FW  CAN Jordyn Huitema
10 MF  WAL Jess Fishlock
11 DF  USA Sofia Huerta
12 FW  USA Veronica Latsko
14 DF  USA Emily Mason
16 MF  USA Ainsley McCammon
18 MF  USA Sally Menti
19 FW  USA Mia Fishel
20 MF  USA Sam Meza
21 DF  USA Phoebe McClernon
22 DF  USA Ryanne Brown
23 DF  USA Jordyn Bugg
24 DF  USA Madison Curry
25 DF  USA Shae Holmes
28 MF  USA Mikayla Cluff
30 FW  HAI Nérilia Mondésir
31 DF  SWE Hanna Glas
33 MF  USA Olivia Van der Jagt
35 GK  USA Neeku Purcell
38 GK  USA Cassie Miller
47 FW  USA Emeri Adames
99 GK  USA Maddie Prohaska

Out on loan

[edit]
No. Pos. Nation Player
13 DF  USA Julia Lester (at Sporting JAX until December 31, 2025[167])
91 MF  KOR Ji So-yun (at Birmingham City until December 31, 2025[168])

Staff

[edit]
As of February 21, 2025.[165][159]
Governance
Governor Adrian Hanauer
Alternate governor Alex Popov
Executive
Chief business officer Maya Mendoza-Exstrom
General manager Lesle Gallimore
Coaching
Head coach Laura Harvey
Head assistant coach Scott Parkinson
Assistant coach Kate Norton
Assistant coach Lee Nguyen
Assistant coach and head of goalkeeping Lloyd Yaxley

Captains

[edit]
Captain Tenure Ref.
Keelin Winters 2013–2016 [169][170]
Jess Fishlock 2017 [170]
Megan Rapinoe 2018–2022 [171][172]
Lauren Barnes Since 2017 [170][166][173]

Head coaches

[edit]
As of November 4, 2024.
Head coach Nat. Tenure Matches[a] Win Draw Loss Pts/M Ref.
Laura Harvey December 21, 2012 – November 6, 2017 110 51 26 33 1.63 [174]
Vlatko Andonovski November 7, 2017 – October 28, 2019 48 21 16 11 1.65 [131]
Farid Benstiti January 17, 2020 – July 1, 2021 7 2 1 4 1.00 [138][141]
Sam Laity (interim) July 2 – August 8, 2021 6 4 0 2 2.00 [141][175]
Laura Harvey Since August 9, 2021 81 33 19 29 1.46 [142][175]
  1. ^ Regular-season matches only.

Honors

[edit]

Records

[edit]

Season records

[edit]
Seattle Reign FC seasons[176]
Season NWSL regular season Playoffs Top
scorer[a]
Goals[a] Attendance[b]
P W L D GF GA Pts. Pos. Avg. High Total
2013 22 5 14 3 22 36 18 7th DNQ United States Megan Rapinoe 5 2,306 3,855 25,365
2014 24 16 2 6 50 20 54 Shield Runners-up Scotland Kim Little 17♦ 3,632 5,957 43,581
2015 20 13 3 4 41 21 43 Shield Runners-up Scotland Kim Little
United States Bev Yanez
10 4,060 6,303 40,595
2016 20 8 6 6 29 21 30 5th DNQ Netherlands Manon Melis 7 4,602 5,888 46,018
2017 24 9 8 7 43 37 34 5th DNQ United States Megan Rapinoe 12 4,037 6,041 48,449
2018 24 11 5 8 27 19 41 3rd Semifinal England Jodie Taylor 9 3,824 5,251 45,885
2019 24 10 6 8 27 27 38 4th Semifinal United States Bethany Balcer 6 5,213 7,479 62,551
2020 Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic Quarterfinal[c] United States Bethany Balcer 3 Behind closed doors
2021 24 13 8 3 37 24 42 2nd Semifinal United States Bethany Balcer 9 5,240 27,278 62,885
2022 22 11 4 7 32 19 40 Shield Semifinal United States Bethany Balcer 9 6,844 10,744 75,289
2023 22 9 8 5 29 24 32 4th Runners-up United States Bethany Balcer
Canada Jordyn Huitema
7 13,609 42,054 149,704
2024 26 6 15 5 27 44 23 13th DNQ United States Bethany Balcer 5 8,503 16,598 110,536
League most for season
bold Club record
  1. ^ a b All official competitions including playoffs, Challenge Cups, Summer Cups, and the 2020 Fall Series.
  2. ^ Attendance from NWSL regular-season matches only.
  3. ^ Results from the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.

Player records

[edit]
As of November 4, 2024.[177] Current players in bold. Statistics are updated once a year after the conclusion of the NWSL season.

Retired jersey numbers

[edit]

Most appearances

[edit]
# Player Tenure NWSL Playoffs Other cups Total
1 United States Lauren Barnes Since 2013 232 11 16 259
2 Wales Jess Fishlock Since 2013 198 10 16 224
3 United States Bethany Balcer 2019–2024 103 6 26 135
4 United States Megan Rapinoe 2013–2023 115 11 6 132
5 United States Bev Yanez 2014–2019 123 6 0 129
6 United States Sofia Huerta Since 2020 78 5 24 107
7 United States Kristen McNabb 2017–2021 74 2 11 87
United States Keelin Winters 2013–2016 83 4 0
9 United States Tziarra King 2021–2024 67 1 17 85
Canada Quinn 2019–2024 65 5 15

Top scorers

[edit]
# Player Tenure NWSL Playoffs Other cups Total
1 United States Megan Rapinoe 2013–2023 52 3 0 55
2 Wales Jess Fishlock Since 2013 42 0 1 43
3 United States Bethany Balcer 2019–2024 33 0 6 39
4 Scotland Kim Little 2014–2016, 2022 32 1 0 33
5 United States Bev Yanez 2014–2019 24 1 0 25
6 Japan Nahomi Kawasumi 2014, 2016–2018 18 0 0 18
7 England Jodie Taylor 2018–2020 14 0 0 14
8 Canada Jordyn Huitema Since 2022 10 0 2 12
9 United States Veronica Latsko Since 2022 8 2 1 11
10 United States Sofia Huerta Since 2020 5 0 4 9

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Seattle Reign FC is a professional women's soccer club based in , Washington, that competes in the (NWSL), the highest level of women's professional soccer in the United States. Founded on November 21, 2012, as one of the league's eight inaugural franchises, the team commenced play in the 2013 season and has since established itself as a consistent regular-season contender, winning the —awarded to the team with the best record—for three consecutive periods in 2014, 2015, and 2022. The club plays its home matches at , sharing the venue with the NFL's and MLS's , and has experienced multiple ownership and branding changes, including a period under French conglomerate OL Groupe from 2019 onward, during which it operated as OL Reign from 2020 to 2023 before reverting to its original Seattle Reign FC moniker ahead of the 2024 season. Notable for its contributions to player development and international talent, Seattle Reign FC has been home to prominent figures such as forward , who featured for the team from 2013 to 2023, and defender , the NWSL's all-time leader in regular-season appearances with over 250 matches. Despite regular-season dominance, the team has yet to secure an NWSL Championship, having reached the playoff final on multiple occasions without victory, reflecting a pattern of postseason challenges amid the league's competitive landscape.

History

Founding and inaugural season (2012–2013)

Seattle Reign FC was founded in 2012 by Bill Predmore and his wife Teresa as one of eight inaugural franchises of the (NWSL), the top tier of professional women's . The team was officially announced as a founding member on November 21, 2012, with plans to commence play in the league's debut season the following year. The club built its initial roster through the NWSL player allocation process, which assigned U.S. national team players to teams, supplemented by the January 18, 2013, college draft and the February 7 supplemental draft, where Seattle selected defender with their second pick. English coach was appointed head coach, bringing experience from Arsenal in the FA WSL. Notable players included U.S. national team goalkeeper and Welsh midfielder . Home matches were hosted at Starfire Stadium in . The inaugural season commenced on April 14, 2013, with an away fixture against the Chicago Red Stars at Benedictine Sports Complex in . Over 22 regular-season games, the Reign recorded 5 wins, 3 draws, and 14 losses, earning 18 points and finishing seventh in the standings, which excluded them from the . was named the team's for her contributions. The campaign concluded on August 17, 2013, with a 2-1 defeat to the .

Peak performance and championships contention (2014–2015)

In the 2014 season, Seattle Reign FC achieved a dominant regular-season performance, finishing first in the NWSL with a record of 16 wins, 6 draws, and 2 losses, accumulating 54 points from 24 matches. The team clinched the NWSL Shield on July 30, 2014, following a 4-1 victory over the Houston Dash, securing their first regular-season title. Under head coach Laura Harvey, who was named NWSL Coach of the Year, the Reign demonstrated offensive prowess with 50 goals scored and a league-best defensive record, conceding only 20 goals, highlighted by goalkeeper Hope Solo's contributions. In the playoffs, Seattle advanced by defeating the Washington Spirit 2-1 in the semi-final on August 23, 2014, but fell 2-1 to FC Kansas City in the NWSL Championship final on August 31, 2014, at Starfire Stadium. The 2015 season marked a repeat of regular-season excellence for Seattle Reign FC, who again topped the league standings with a 13-4-3 record over 20 matches, earning 43 points and the NWSL Shield for the second consecutive year. The Shield was secured on August 26, 2015, via a 3-1 home win against the Boston Breakers. The team maintained a strong defensive structure, allowing just 21 goals while scoring 41, with key players including forwards like Kim Little contributing significantly to the attack. Despite this success, Seattle's championship aspirations ended in the final on October 25, 2015, where they lost 1-0 to FC Kansas City at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, marking their second straight runners-up finish. These back-to-back Shield wins and final appearances underscored the Reign's peak competitive form, driven by tactical discipline and star talent, though playoff execution proved elusive against Kansas City.

Transitional challenges and relocation decision (2016–2018)

Following the 2015 NWSL Shield win, Seattle Reign FC experienced a transitional period marked by inconsistent on-field results and operational hurdles. In , the team compiled an 8–6–6 record (wins–draws–losses), finishing fifth in the league and missing the for the first time in franchise history. Average home attendance dipped slightly to 4,588 spectators per match amid a league-wide trend of stagnant growth. The Memorial Stadium playing surface, an aging installed years earlier, showed visible wear by mid-season, contributing to suboptimal playing conditions during key matches. The 2017 season brought renewed competitiveness with a third-place finish, but declined further to an average of 4,037 per home game, reflecting broader NWSL challenges including disruptions from international commitments and a league-wide nine percent drop in average . In November 2017, head coach and general manager resigned amid an internal review of staff complaints, paving the way for to assume the role. Concurrently, operational pressures mounted as signaled in mid-2017 that the Memorial Stadium lease would likely not extend beyond 2018, while the venue's outdated infrastructure—lacking compliant turf, seating, accessibility, and seismic upgrades—failed to meet emerging U.S. Soccer Pro League Standards. Late that year, the NWSL informed the club that Memorial Stadium would be unsuitable for 2019 broadcasts and play, prompting an urgent venue search. Under Andonovski in 2018, the Reign rebounded to an 11–5–8 record, securing third place and a playoff semifinal appearance, yet stadium woes dominated the narrative. Throughout the year, club owners Bill and Teresa Predmore evaluated options from Tukwila to Bothell, including Starfire Stadium (prioritized by affiliates) and university facilities, but none proved viable for long-term compliance or economics. Talks with the for began in March, culminating in August confirmation that upgrading —built in the 1940s and slated for potential demolition—was financially unsustainable due to high costs and insufficient revenue potential. These factors, described by the Predmores as a "constellation of challenges," led to the decision, with the team set to share the upgraded starting in 2019 to ensure stability and enable ownership expansion including local investors like and Rainiers principals.

Tacoma relocation and rebranding (2019–2021)

In January 2019, Reign FC ownership announced the team's relocation to , effective for the 2019 NWSL season, with home matches to be played at , a multi-purpose venue previously home to the minor league baseball team. The move coincided with the rebranding of the club by dropping "Seattle" from its name, resulting in the simplified designation of Reign FC, without adopting "Tacoma" as part of the moniker. This relocation enabled shared use of with the , the newly rebranded affiliate of , following an agreement between Sounders FC and local partners to upgrade the facility. The decision stemmed from ongoing stadium instability in , where the team had relied on temporary venues like Seattle Center Memorial Stadium, and anticipated improvements at , including a planned $5 million renovation to accommodate soccer. Initial fan response in Tacoma was positive, with the team's home opener against the Chicago Red Stars on April 28, 2019, attracting over 5,300 spectators despite capacity constraints of around 6,500 for soccer configurations. Reign FC played all home games at Cheney through the abbreviated 2020 season—impacted by the —and the full 2021 campaign, totaling 24 regular-season home matches across the three years. In early 2020, amid financial pressures and a strategic investment from OL Groupe—the parent company of French club —the team underwent further rebranding to OL Reign, announced on March 6, 2020. The new name integrated "OL" with "Reign" to symbolize the partnership, preserving the club's "The Bold" nickname and emphasizing a bold, unified identity tied to Lyon's successful women's soccer program, which had won multiple titles. This change included updated branding elements but retained core aspects of the prior crest and colors, reflecting OL Groupe's minority investment aimed at enhancing resources for player development and operations. The OL Reign branding persisted through the remainder of the Tacoma tenure, marking a transitional phase before the club's return to Seattle venues in 2022.

OL ownership and return to Seattle (2022–2023)

Following its acquisition by OL Groupe in January 2020, which granted the French conglomerate an 89.5% ownership stake for $3.51 million, Seattle Reign FC—rebranded as OL Reign—operated under OL's majority control through 2023. OL Groupe, parent company of , integrated the club into its multi-club model, emphasizing alignment with its European operations while maintaining NWSL competitiveness. On December 15, 2021, OL Reign announced its return to in as its primary home venue starting with the 2022 NWSL season, reversing the 2019 relocation to Tacoma's prompted by scheduling conflicts at Seattle's Memorial Stadium. The shift back to the 68,740-capacity , shared with MLS side , was intended to enhance fan access, attendance, and market visibility in the club's founding city after three seasons in Tacoma. In 2022, OL Reign hosted all regular-season home matches at Lumen, drawing increased crowds compared to prior Tacoma averages, though exact figures varied by opponent and timing. The 2022 season under OL ownership saw OL Reign finish fifth in the NWSL standings with a 9-7-6 record, qualifying for the where they advanced to the semifinals before elimination. Continuing at in 2023, the team improved to fourth place with an 11-6-5 record, again reaching the but falling in the quarterfinals. OL's investment during this period included roster enhancements and infrastructure leverage at Lumen, though financial pressures on the parent company foreshadowed eventual divestment, with no immediate ownership shifts occurring until 2024. Attendance at Lumen averaged over 5,000 per match in both seasons, reflecting the relocation's positive impact on local engagement amid OL's operational oversight.

New ownership era and recent seasons (2024–present)

In June 2024, Seattle Reign FC transitioned to new ownership when the ownership group, in partnership with global investment firm Carlyle, acquired the club from Eagle Football Group for $58 million, with Carlyle holding the majority stake. This deal, completed on June 17, united Seattle's professional men's and women's top-tier soccer clubs under aligned local stewardship while committing to the team's long-term presence in the . The acquisition occurred midway through the 2024 NWSL regular season, enabling operational synergies such as shared facilities and marketing resources between the Reign and Sounders. The 2024 season, largely under prior ownership, marked a low point for the Reign, who finished 13th in the 14-team league with a record of 6 wins, 5 draws, and 15 losses, accumulating 23 points and conceding playoffs for the first time since 2017. The team scored 27 goals across 26 matches, with 11 different players contributing at least one, the highest such tally since 2017, though defensive vulnerabilities contributed to their 49 goals conceded. Notable results included a 2–1 home victory over on October 18 and a 3–2 defeat to on November 2 to close the regular season. Under the new ownership, the Reign bolstered their roster for 2025 through key acquisitions, including forward Lynn Williams via trade and signings such as Madison Curry, Cassie Miller, Emily Mason, and Maddie Dahlien. The season opened with a home match against NJ/NY Gotham FC on March 15 at . As of late October 2025, the team held a 10–8–7 record after 25 matches, totaling 38 points and positioning fourth in the standings, on track for postseason contention with improved offensive output evidenced by higher metrics. Commercial developments included securing Trupanion as the front-of-kit sponsor in October 2025, the first such partnership since the ownership shift.

Identity and branding

Colors, crest, and kit evolution

Seattle Reign FC's primary colors, established upon the club's founding in 2013, consist of and black, with accents that evolved over time to include gold symbolizing championship success. The original palette emphasized deep blues and blacks, reflecting Seattle's maritime and evergreen heritage, while the 2013 home kit featured with detailing. The club's crest, introduced in 2013, depicts a stylized queen's profile crowned with a regal , embodying themes of royalty and dominance in . This design remained in use through the 2018 season, during which the team secured two NWSL Shields. Following the 2019 relocation and subsequent acquisition by , the branding shifted to OL Reign in 2020, incorporating red alongside blue and gold to align with the French club's identity. In January 2024, coinciding with a return to Seattle-based operations under new ownership, the club revived the Seattle Reign FC name and reintroduced the original queen crest with a refreshed palette: deepened shades of blue (Blackened Blue and Blue), gold for the crown replacing prior gray tones, and secondary hues like Sesame, Summit White, and Diffused Blue. This update honors the 2013–2018 era's achievements while modernizing for contemporary appeal. Kit evolution under Nike, the team's kit supplier since inception, has mirrored branding shifts. Early kits (2013–2018) prioritized home jerseys with black and white elements for simplicity and visibility. The OL Reign period introduced red-trimmed designs, but the 2024 primary "Reflection" kit reverted to a regal deep blue base accented in gold, drawing inspiration from the club's 12-year and core values. The corresponding secondary "" kit features a bold diagonal color split in blues, evoking mountain peaks and historical excellence. By 2025, the secondary "Rise" kit adopted white with flowing gold rays and blue accents, symbolizing ambition, community strength, and local landmarks.

Sponsorship and commercial partnerships

Seattle Reign FC has maintained a range of sponsorship and commercial partnerships throughout its history, with notable shifts tied to ownership changes and rebranding efforts. During the OL Reign era from 2022 to 2024, the club forwent traditional front-of-kit sponsorship revenue, instead donating the jersey space to the Future Co-op Fund, a player-initiated nonprofit focused on economic for communities, reflecting a commitment to social causes amid financial challenges under ownership. Following the 2024 rebranding to Seattle Reign FC and acquisition by and interests, the club pursued commercial expansion, aligning partnerships with local -based entities to bolster brand visibility. In October 2025, Trupanion, a Seattle-headquartered pet medical insurance provider, secured a multi-year front-of-kit deal, marking the first such commercial placement since the ownership transition and emphasizing regional ties. Shortly thereafter, Paula's Choice Skincare, a skincare brand founded in , entered a multi-year upper-back kit partnership, further integrating local consumer brands into matchday apparel. Additional post-rebrand activations include a multi-year beverage partnership with Talking Rain's Sparkling Ice brand, announced in March 2025, and as the official and exclusive airline partner starting July 2025, which includes promotional flights and fan engagement initiatives. Accounting firm BDO joined as a sponsor, alongside renewals with healthcare provider MultiCare and ongoing collaborations with for community recognition programs, for hydration, and Seattle Reproductive Medicine for health services, contributing to diversified revenue streams amid NWSL-wide growth in women's soccer commercialization.

Facilities and infrastructure

Primary stadium and training grounds

Seattle Reign FC has utilized as its primary home stadium since the 2022 season. The multi-purpose venue, situated in Seattle's neighborhood, opened in and accommodates over 68,000 spectators for various events, including soccer matches configured with a reduced capacity for optimal pitch dimensions. The club's training operations are based at in Tukwila, Washington, following a multi-year agreement announced in October 2022 that commenced in February 2023. This 54-acre facility includes multiple regulation soccer fields, indoor training spaces, and serves as the administrative headquarters for the team, supporting daily practices and youth development programs. Starfire's proximity to , approximately 10 miles south, facilitates efficient access while providing dedicated professional-grade infrastructure.

Broadcasting and media coverage

Seattle Reign FC matches receive national exposure through the National Women's Soccer League's (NWSL) multimedia rights agreements, which distribute select games across networks, , and Paramount+, with additional streaming on NWSL+ for non-televised fixtures. For instance, the league's 2025 schedule includes Reign FC games on platforms like Paramount+ and NWSL+, such as the October 20, 2025, match streamed live on NWSL+. International audiences access these via regional broadcasters, while domestic over-the-air and cable selections prioritize high-profile matchups. Locally, the club secured a multi-year television partnership with FOX 13 Seattle in May 2025, designating it the official flagship broadcaster alongside Seattle Sounders FC, with 11 regular-season Reign FC matches airing on FOX 13+ and available for free streaming on the Fox Local app. This followed a 2024 agreement with KING 5 Media Group, which broadcast 11 regular-season games on KONG-TV and streamed them on the KING 5+ app, enhancing regional accessibility before the shift to FOX. Audio coverage expanded in May 2025 via a multi-year deal with iHeartMedia Seattle, airing six NWSL regular-season matches on 950 KJR AM and iHeartRadio, with commitments to increase to 10 games in subsequent seasons; this marks the first dedicated radio broadcasts for Reign FC, integrated with Sounders FC programming on stations like 93.3 KJR FM. The club's media resources, including press releases, player bios, and schedules, support broader coverage by local outlets such as , which reports on schedules and broadcasts, though national NWSL deals dominate visibility amid varying local production quality.

Organization and administration

Ownership history and financial context

Seattle Reign FC was established in 2012 as an expansion franchise in the (NWSL) by majority owners Teresa Predmore and Bill Predmore, who led the club's founding and initial operations. The Predmores retained significant influence during the team's early years, overseeing its transition from the to professional status in the NWSL. In December 2019, OL Groupe, the parent company of French club , acquired an 89.5% stake in the club for a total valuation of $3.51 million, with the Predmores maintaining a minority interest. This acquisition integrated Seattle Reign into OL Groupe's multi-club model, emphasizing synergies with Lyon Féminin, though the club faced challenges including relocation to Tacoma and as OL Reign from 2020 to 2023. OL Groupe's ownership period coincided with rising NWSL attendance and media deals but also operational shifts amid broader league expansion. In March 2024, OL Groupe announced the sale of 100% of the club's shares to a comprising the ownership group—led by —and global investment firm Carlyle for $58 million, a transaction completed in June 2024 pending NWSL approval. Carlyle holds the majority stake, with the Sounders group providing operational alignment through shared infrastructure, while former Predmores retain 7.5% and investor holds 3%. This deal marked a more than 16-fold increase in valuation from 2019, driven by surging NWSL franchise values—averaging $104 million league-wide by late 2024—and the club's reported $8 million in annual revenue, reflecting broader growth in investments.

Management and executive leadership

Lesle Gallimore serves as of Seattle Reign FC, a position she assumed on May 31, 2023, with responsibilities encompassing all aspects of first-team operations, including player personnel, scouting, and technical staff oversight. Prior to this role, Gallimore held and administrative positions in collegiate soccer, and in January 2025, she received the United Soccer Coaches Honor Award for her contributions to the sport. Laura Harvey leads the team as head coach, entering her 10th season with the club in 2025 and having earned NWSL Coach of the Year honors three times during her tenure. The 2025 first-team staff under Harvey includes additions such as a head , video analyst, and performance director, announced on March 14, 2025, to bolster support for player development and injury management. Following the June 2024 acquisition by an ownership group including and , Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, a Seattle native with a of executive experience at Sounders FC, assumed the role of club president in 2025, focusing on operations, fan , and integration with the broader enterprise. This restructuring also introduced Taylor Graham as Chief Integration Officer in February 2025, tasked with coordinating enterprise-wide initiatives between Reign FC and Sounders FC, while chief financial officer Tom Riley departed in March 2025 after a long tenure.

Youth academy and development pipeline

Seattle Reign Academy, established in 2016 through a partnership between Seattle Reign FC and local club Seattle United, operates as a year-round competitive youth soccer program exclusively for female players. The academy emphasizes high-repetition technical training, player identification, and a supportive environment aimed at developing skills for elite competition, with teams competing in the Girls Academy League (GA). Programs include discovery sessions, summer day camps, and age-group teams from U13 to U19, prioritizing competitive play and skill progression over recreational participation. The academy's structure supports a direct pathway to professional levels via Seattle Reign FC II, a reserve squad that joined the (WPSL) Northwest Conference in 2024 to bridge youth and senior teams. This tiered system facilitates transitions, with academy graduates eligible for first-team training and contracts; for instance, select youth players have participated in senior team camps and earned national team call-ups, such as four academy-affiliated prospects named to the U.S. Women's National Team Futures Camp in January 2025. However, the pipeline's output remains modest compared to , with most NWSL first-team rosters, including Reign FC's 2025 squad, drawing primarily from collegiate and international sources rather than internal promotions. Initiatives like "Reign Drops," a skill-focused youth program relaunched in , extend development to younger ages (U5-U12), integrating fun-based drills with foundational techniques to build a broader talent pool. Technical staff, drawn from professional coaching backgrounds, oversee holistic growth, though empirical success metrics—such as verified first-team debuts from academy ranks—are limited in public records, reflecting broader challenges in women's youth-to-pro transitions amid competing pathways like NCAA scholarships. The academy's female-centered model, while marketed as empowering, aligns with standard elite club practices but has not yet produced standout NWSL stars, underscoring the need for sustained investment in scouting and retention to enhance pipeline efficacy.

Supporters and rivalries

Fan base and supporter groups


Seattle Reign FC draws a dedicated fan base primarily from the , with attendance figures reflecting strong support during marquee events amid broader growth in women's soccer interest. The club achieved the NWSL's single-match attendance record of 34,130 spectators at on October 6, 2023, during forward Megan Rapinoe's final regular-season appearance against the . This marked a significant spike, contrasting with a prior standalone club record of 10,746 fans set in 2022. The team's supporters contribute to an energetic match atmosphere, bolstered by organizational efforts to foster engagement, including 2025 leadership changes aimed at deepening fan connections.
The Royal Guard serves as the primary official supporter group, founded as the first for the franchise and operating as a volunteer-run nonprofit to create a safe, inclusive space for fans. Members occupy sections 122 and 123 behind the south goal at , dubbed "The Keep," where they coordinate chants, displays, and community activities to connect supporters with players and club operations. The group facilitates discounted ticket access and events, emphasizing involvement over commercial motives. Complementing the Royal Guard, Reign City Riot functions as an inclusive performing arts ensemble that energizes crowds with live music at Reign matches and related events, enhancing the auditory supporter experience. Online platforms further sustain the fan community, including active Facebook groups for discussion and celebration of team achievements, as well as the subreddit r/Reignfc dedicated to promoting Seattle Reign FC and women's soccer. These elements collectively underscore a supporter culture rooted in regional loyalty and direct participation, though sustained attendance beyond high-profile games remains a focus for club growth strategies.

Key rivalries and regional dynamics

The primary rivalry for Seattle Reign FC is the Cascadia derby against Portland Thorns FC, rooted in the geographic proximity of the Pacific Northwest cities and mirroring the longstanding competition between the Seattle Sounders FC and Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer, which originated in the 1970s. This women's matchup formed organically upon the NWSL's inception in 2013, driven by regional pride and competitive intensity rather than formal trophies, though it has produced some of the league's most attended and emotionally charged encounters. By August 2025, the teams had contested 43 matches, with Portland holding a slight edge of 17 wins to Seattle's 15, alongside 11 draws, reflecting the evenly matched nature of the fixture. Regional dynamics amplify the stakes, as the rivalry fosters a shared soccer culture across Washington and Oregon, drawing large crowds that underscore the Pacific Northwest's passion for the sport; for instance, the August 10, 2025, clash at Providence Park attracted a record NWSL attendance of 21,811 fans. Matches often feature high drama, including the highest-scoring Cascadia game on record—a 4-2 Portland victory in that same fixture, totaling six goals—and penalty shootout decisions, such as Seattle's July 26, 2025, win over Portland. The contest's significance extends beyond results, promoting cross-state fan engagement and elevating NWSL visibility in the region, though it remains informal without dedicated cup competitions. No other fixtures have developed comparable historical or cultural weight for Seattle Reign FC within the league.

Team records and performance analysis

Seasonal records and league standings

Seattle Reign FC entered the (NWSL) as one of its eight founding teams in 2013. Over 13 seasons through 2025, the club compiled a regular-season record of 121 wins, 70 draws, and 86 losses, accumulating goals of 395 for and 300 against. The team secured the for the best regular-season record three times, in 2014 (16-6-2, 54 points), 2015 (13-4-3, 43 points), and 2022 (11-7-4, 40 points). The 2020 season was abbreviated due to the , with no regular-season matches played; the team was ranked fifth in the NWSL Fall Series standings based on limited play. Performance varied, with a strong early period marked by defensive solidity and high-scoring offenses, followed by more inconsistent results in recent years, including a last-place finish in (6-5-15, 23 points). The table below details the club's regular-season performance and final standings in the NWSL:
SeasonGames PlayedWinsDrawsLossesGoals ForGoals AgainstPointsPosition
20132253142236187th
20142416625020541st
20152013434121431st
2016208662921305th
2017249784337345th
20182411852719413rd
20192410862727384th
202000000005th
20212413383724422nd
20222211743219401st
2023229582924324th
202426651527442313th
20252510873128384th

Individual player milestones and statistics

Defender established NWSL records for most career appearances (250), starts (238), and minutes played (20,940), all with Seattle Reign FC. She reached 20,000 minutes in April 2025, the first player to do so in league history. Midfielder tied Megan Rapinoe's club record of 77 goal contributions (goals plus assists). Fishlock became the fourth NWSL player to record 30 or more goals and 30 or more assists in regular-season play. Goalkeeper anchored a 16-game unbeaten streak spanning the 2013 and 2014 seasons, an NWSL record at the time. She recorded 81 saves in 1,260 minutes during her Reign tenure. Kim Little earned the 2014 NWSL award with Seattle Reign FC.

Honors and achievements

Seattle Reign FC has secured the , awarded to the team with the best regular-season record, on three occasions: 2014 with a 16-2-6 record accumulating 54 points, 2015 with a 13-3-4 record for 43 points, and 2022 (competing as OL Reign) with an 11-4-7 record for 40 points. These victories highlight the club's dominance in regular-season play during those years, though the Shield does not guarantee playoff success. The team has reached the NWSL Championship final three times but has yet to claim the title, finishing as runners-up in 2014 (defeated 2-1 by ), 2015 (lost 1-0 to ), and 2023 (lost 2-1 to NJ/NY Gotham FC). In international competition, Seattle Reign FC won The Women's Cup in 2022, defeating 2-1 in the final after a semifinal victory over . This invitational tournament featured clubs from multiple countries and marked the team's first major trophy outside the NWSL framework.
CompetitionAchievements
Winners (3): 2014, 2015, 2022
NWSL ChampionshipRunners-up (3): 2014, 2015, 2023
The Women's CupWinners (1): 2022

Controversies and criticisms

Relocation and fan backlash

On January 30, 2019, Reign FC announced it would relocate its home matches to in , for the 2019 NWSL season, sharing the venue with the of the . The move stemmed from the club's need to vacate Seattle's Memorial Stadium, where persistent turf degradation and impending renovations rendered it unsuitable for professional play; earlier attempts to secure alternative Seattle venues, such as , failed due to scheduling conflicts with the and Sounders FC. As part of the shift, the team temporarily dropped "Seattle" from its name, becoming simply Reign FC, to reflect its new regional focus while emphasizing continued operations across the area, including youth academy expansion. The relocation, approximately 35 miles south of , drew criticism from fans accustomed to central access, with some expressing frustration over added travel burdens and viewing it as a symptom of insufficient civic in women's soccer . Local media highlighted perceived failures in 's support ecosystem, arguing the city had not prioritized the team amid competing demands for resources, potentially alienating core attendees unwilling or unable to commute regularly. at averaged around 3,000-4,000 per match in 2019, lower than prior figures exceeding 5,000, underscoring short-term fan attrition tied to the venue change. Further unease arose in December 2020 amid rumors, fueled by minority investor Tony Parker's public comments favoring a relocation to a warmer climate like to boost viability, prompting a swift denial from club leadership and surprise among Tacoma-based staff who affirmed commitment to the . These speculations, though unsubstantiated, amplified concerns over operational instability following the OL Groupe investment and rebranding to OL Reign earlier that year. The team returned to Seattle in 2022, signing a multi-year lease for , which ownership described as a to restore and fan engagement after resolving prior venue barriers. This reversal, coupled with the 2024 reversion to the Seattle Reign FC name under new ownership including the Seattle Sounders group, mitigated lingering discontent but did not erase memories of the Tacoma interlude's disruptions.

Ownership transitions and operational instability

Seattle Reign FC was founded in 2012 under the ownership of Bill and Predmore, who held majority control until December 2019, when French conglomerate OL Groupe acquired an 89.5% stake for $3.5 million, with the Predmores retaining a . This transition followed the club's relocation from to Tacoma in 2018 amid venue disputes, which strained local fan relations and operational logistics. Under OL Groupe, the club underwent further rebranding in March 2020 to OL Reign, aligning it with ' identity, but operational challenges persisted, including the Predmores' departure from day-to-day management in February 2022, when Vincent Berthillot assumed CEO duties. OL Groupe announced the club's sale in April 2023, citing strategic refocus on core assets amid NWSL growth, leaving the team in a prolonged holding pattern that delayed investments and contributed to roster instability, with 14 new players integrated in 2024 alone. The sale process extended over 14 months, finalizing on June 17, 2024, when a led by owners and investment firm Carlyle acquired the club for $58 million, restoring the Seattle Reign FC name and committing to roots. This marked the third major ownership shift in five years, exacerbating operational flux, including a return to Seattle venues and subsequent leadership restructurings, such as the February 2025 creation of a Fan Engagement department and the March 2025 departure of Tom Riley. These transitions correlated with on-field decline, culminating in the club's worst season in 2024, as frequent changes disrupted continuity despite veteran players like providing interim stability. The pattern of relocations, rebrandings, and sales reflects broader NWSL volatility, where foreign investment yielded short-term branding experiments but long-term operational disruptions, prioritizing financial exits over sustained development.

References

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