Seattle Sounders FC 2 today announced it is holding an open competition to find its broadcast talent for the 2015 season. The club is searching for play-by-play commentators and broadcast analysts to call S2 home matches throughout the club’s inaugural USL PRO campaign, with up to three pairings being selected to cover matches in 2015. Participants can submit their video auditions – preferably in tandem – by calling two minutes of Sounders FC action provided by the club. The best videos have the opportunity to be featured on SoundersFC.com and S2 social media. Throughout the season, a fan-driven vote via social media and evaluation by Sounders FC staff will be used to select one pair who will be offered a contract for the 2016 campaign.
“S2 is about developing soccer professionals, whether that's on the field, in the front office or in the broadcast booth,” said S2 General Manager Andrew Opatkiewicz. “Players come to tryouts and in the office we have internships. Now aspiring broadcasters have this opportunity to gain valuable experience and earn a contract with S2.”
Like Ross Fletcher and Kasey Keller during Sounders FC regional broadcasts at the First Team level, S2 is searching for a standout play-by-play commentator and analyst duo that is capable of ushering in a new era of Seattle soccer history. Teams selected to call a portion of the season will be compensated for each game, with all S2 matches set to be live-streamed via SoundersFC.com and USL PRO’s digital platforms.
The selected teams will be professional, available for S2 home matches and possess knowledge of professional soccer and Sounders FC. Prior experience in soccer or other sports broadcasting is a plus, and knowledge of USL PRO is necessary by the start of the season.
Participation in the competition is free, and submissions can be made here.
Submission Deadline: February 10, 2015, 5:00 p.m. PST. Winners will be announced in February after all submissions are reviewed.
VIDEO SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• On-camera introduction
• One play-by-play commentator, one broadcast analyst
• Film yourselves as you watch the broadcast video provided (please do not include game video in your submission)
• Commentate on the given Sounders FC piece by watching the video and talking about it (as if the game was live) – please make sure to demonstrate your knowledge of the game as well as your personality
• Upload your video to YouTube and make it private
• Submit your link within the video form on SoundersFC.com
• Professionalism and soccer knowledge will be considered
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
• High School diploma required
• Broadcast experience a plus
• Knowledge of and passion for soccer and Seattle Sounders FC
• Able to work in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment
• Must have reliable transportation
• Must be comfortable and able to project and speak clearly to a camera
• All matches take place in an outdoor stadium – must be able to work evenings and weekends, as necessary
ABOUT SOUNDERS FC 2
Announced on October 14, 2014, Sounders FC 2 is the club's Second Team, playing in USL PRO starting in the 2015 season. Known as S2, the team represents a link between the Sounders FC Academy and Sounders FC First Team. Playing its home matches at Starfire Stadium, S2 emphasizes development and community involvement, and will provide a consistent and competitive professional environment for promising Academy players and certain First Team players to progress. The team will operate under the management of Sounders FC and the Sounders Community Trust, an unprecedented, fan-owned organization that will hold a 20-percent interest in the team.
