Sports

Sounders FC Ink Multi-Year Partnership With Emerald Queen Casino

The deal will add the casino's logo to Sounder jerseys, but also means new collaborations with the Puyallup Tribe on social justice issues.

Gustav Svensson celebrates his winning goal against Minnesota United during the Western Conference Final of the MLS Cup Playoffs at Lumen Field on December 07, 2020 in Seattle.
Gustav Svensson celebrates his winning goal against Minnesota United during the Western Conference Final of the MLS Cup Playoffs at Lumen Field on December 07, 2020 in Seattle. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

SEATTLE — Sounders FC and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians have signed a deal making the tribe's Emerald Queen Casino the team's official casino and entertainment partner through 2027.

What does that mean for Sounders fans? Well, a few different things.

First, the Sounders will now have the casino's logo on the right sleeves of the primary jerseys, like so:

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Sounders midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro models the new patch. (Image: Seattle Sounders FC)

The secondary jerseys will feature the Puyallup Tribe's official emblem, which the team says will be a nod to the tribe's longstanding history and traditions.

In addition, the team says this partnership with the Puyallup Tribe is another way they can continue their fight for social justice reform.

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"Sounders FC is proud to deepen the club’s relationship with the Puyallup Tribe and its Emerald Queen Casino, and we are honored to have both in our club’s family of partners," said Sounders FC President of Business Operations Peter Tomozawa. "The Puyallup people have been an integral part of the Puget Sound region since the very beginning, and as a leading Coast Salish tribe, their proud history and dedication to the area continues to this day."

Seattle Sounders FC runs community outreach programs through their RAVE Foundation, which is now working with the Puyallup Tribe and the Emerald Queen Casino on several new projects. They say their first will be adding new mini-pitch courts across the South Sound to remove barriers to play in marginalized communities.

"This partnership is one based on mutual values and goals, particularly relating to bettering the communities that we live, work and play in," said Emerald Queen Casino General Manager. Frank Wright. "One of our most important cultural principles as a tribe is that of being welcoming and inclusive, and we know that the Sounders also live this belief."

The Sounders' social justice community programs are aimed at addressing several inequities including:

  • Fighting racism
  • Defending the right to play
  • Standing for LGBTQ+ Equality
  • Protecting the planet

"We are perhaps most excited about working side by side on efforts in the community, leveraging the power of both the Rave Green and the Puyallup Tribe to empower and provide for our youth, removing barriers to play and strengthening soccer and lifelong wellness habits in the Pacific Northwest," Tomozawa said.

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