9:00 PM Fri, May 16, 2008 | Permalink |
Like promised, Sounders FC season ticket holders will have say on some team decisions. How the Members Association works was detailed today by the club. Part owner Drew Carey will serve as the association's chairman.
"I'm very excited about what we're doing here in Seattle," said Carey. "Where else can the fans fire the general manager? I hope this becomes a model for every professional sports organization in America."
Fans will have a say about the general manager every four years. The first general manager vote will take place in November, 2012, immediately following the MLS season. Also, members will be invited to an annual meeting hosted by Carey -- the first to be scheduled for later this year.
Got all that? There's more: Members will have the chance to be selected to an Association Council. Council delegates will be nominated on an annual basis. Members interested in participating on the council must receive a minimum of 25 nominations from other association members. The team will begin accepting nominations in June.
Membership is complimentary to season ticket holders. Non-season ticket holders can join the association in June for an annual fee of $125. Benefits include: voting privilege, membership pin, membership card, discount at team shops, invitation to annual meeting, electronic newsletters during the season, and an annual report.
For those you who are still interested, keep reading for the fact sheet
Members Association
Fact Sheet
Association Goals
Provide the members with a voice in the overall direction of the organization, including but not limited to the following:
• A vote on retention or lack of confidence in the general manager every four years
• Team play
• Game presentation
Association Voting Procedures
• Every four years, all members are invited to vote on the "retention or lack of confidence" in the General Manager. The first membership vote for general manager will occur in 2012.
• Simple majority rules and a minimum number of 10,000 members must participate in the vote.
• The first vote will take place in November, 2012 immediately following the season.
• Additional voting on various team operations.
• Ownership reserves the right to relieve the General Manager of duties for cause and/or call for a "lack of confidence" vote at any time.
Association Council
• Council delegates are nominated on an annual basis.
• Members interested in participating on the Council must receive a minimum of 25 nominations from other association members.
• The Association Council will meet two times per year in addition to the annual meeting.
• Each Council delegate will serve as a liaison from the members association to the ownership group.
Association Benefits
(all season ticket holders receive complimentary memberships)
$125 annual membership fee, non-season ticket holders. Non-season ticket holders may join the association in June.
• Voting privilege
• Membership Pin
• Membership Card
• Discount at team shops
• Invitation to annual meeting
• Electronic newsletters during the season
• Annual Report
as another benefit, dont forget discounts at local pubs!