SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC today announced that it is celebrating Pride Month with a variety of distinctive elements on Saturday, June 20 surrounding the club’s match against the San Jose Earthquakes (1:00 p.m. PT / JOEtv, This TV, ROOT SPORTS, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM). Matchday events include a unique celebration at March to the Match, special programming at THE NINETY and game presentation elements to promote messages of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer pride.
“We are excited to celebrate Seattle’s LGBTQ community at CenturyLink Field this coming weekend,” said Sounders FC Owner Adrian Hanauer. “Saturday’s match and its surrounding events will be a fun and meaningful occasion for all to enjoy. Having Jason Collins on-hand is an added bonus, and the Sounders FC community is honored to welcome him to the Emerald City.”
Sounders FC is proud to welcome special-guest Jason Collins, a 13-year NBA veteran who became one of the first active openly gay athletes in a major American team sport when he came out in a cover story for Sports Illustrated in April of 2013. Fans are invited to a free event Friday, June 19 to meet Collins at THE NINETY for a fireside chat hosted by the Voice of Sounders FC Ross Fletcher, along with a question-and-answer session.
“Sounders FC is proud to join Seattle in celebrating Pride Month,” said Sounders FC Senior Director of Business Operations Taylor Graham. “Jason Collins and I overlapped at Stanford University, and I could not be prouder of the conversation he started in 2013, as well as the role sports can play in furthering messages of inclusion, tolerance and acceptance. This isn’t just about soccer, or basketball, but rather empowering people to live their lives as their true selves.”
Matchday festivities include a pre-match Golden Scarf presentation for Collins during Saturday’s game presentation ceremonies, which feature members, friends and family of the LGBTQ community. Collins is also scheduled to appear The NINETY at 11:15 a.m. and The March to the Match, which begins at around 11:45 a.m. PT from Pioneer Square. Rain City Soccer Club is hosting a booth in Soccer Celebration, where fans can stop by and learn more about Seattle’s premiere LGBTQ soccer club.
A match-specific, Pride-themed armband will be worn by Sounders FC’s captain throughout the contest against San Jose, while a special edition Pride Scarf will be available for purchase at Pro Shop locations.
The club’s Pride celebration does not end June 20, however, as Sound Wave is taking part in the Seattle Pride Parade, held on Sunday, June 28 at 11:00 a.m. PT along Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle.
