History of Seattle Reign FC in Timeline

Seattle Reign FC is a professional women's soccer team based in Seattle, Washington, participating in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). As one of the league's inaugural members since 2012, the team's ownership transitioned in June 2024 to the Carlyle Group and Seattle Sounders FC. The Reign has made three appearances in the NWSL Championship but has yet to secure a title.

1974: Seattle Sounders at Memorial Stadium

From 1974 to 1975, the Seattle Sounders played at Memorial Stadium in the North American Soccer League (NASL).

1975: Seattle Sounders at Memorial Stadium

From 1974 to 1975, the Seattle Sounders played at Memorial Stadium in the North American Soccer League (NASL).

1995: Seattle Sounders at Memorial Stadium

From 1995 to 2002, the new incarnation of the Seattle Sounders played in the A-League at Memorial Stadium.

2002: Seattle Sounders at Memorial Stadium

From 1995 to 2002, the new incarnation of the Seattle Sounders played in the A-League at Memorial Stadium.

January 2012: WPS Imminent Demise and USWNT Players Join Sounders Women

In January 2012, following news of the imminent demise of WPS, a handful of players from the United States women's national soccer team (USWNT) joined the Seattle Sounders Women for part of the 2012 W-League season.

November 2012: Application Acceptance

In November 2012, Bill Predmore's application for a Seattle-based women's professional soccer team was accepted.

December 19, 2012: Team Name Unveiled

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. Amy Carnell was named general manager of the Reign.

December 21, 2012: Laura Harvey Announced as First Head Coach

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.

January 11, 2013: NWSL Player Allocation

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.

February 4, 2013: Signing of Free Agents

On February 4, 2013, it was announced that the team had signed four free agents: Kate Deines, Jess Fishlock, Tiffany Cameron, and Lindsay Taylor.

April 2013: Royal Guard Supporters Group Founded

In April 2013, Matt Banks and Kiana Coleman founded the Royal Guard, the first organized supporters group for a women's professional sports team in Washington state's history.

April 2013: Moda Health Jersey Sponsor

In April 2013, Moda Health was announced as the team's jersey sponsor.

June 2013: Trades and International Players Signed

In June 2013, head coach Laura Harvey began making trades and signing new international players.

2013: Live Streaming via YouTube Begins

From 2013 to 2016, Seattle Reign games were streamed live by Bootstrapper Studios via YouTube, with commentary by Tom Glasgow and Lesle Gallimore. A select number of league games were also broadcast on Fox Sports during the 2013 season.

2013: Artificial Turf Installation at Memorial Stadium

In 2013, Memorial Stadium installed an artificial turf pitch, which the Reign would use starting in 2014.

February 2014: Move to Memorial Stadium

In February 2014, the team announced its move to Memorial Stadium for at least the 2014 and 2015 seasons, featuring a seating capacity of 6,000 to start.

July 12, 2014: Unbeaten Streak Ends

On July 12, 2014, the Reign's league record unbeaten streak of 16 games came to an end in a match against the Chicago Red Stars.

2014: Broadcasts on ESPN

During the 2014 season, several league games were broadcast by ESPN.

2014: NWSL Shield Win

In 2014, Laura Harvey led the team to an NWSL Shield win.

2014: Moda Health Jersey Sponsor

In 2014, Moda Health remained the jersey sponsor.

2014: Played at Memorial Stadium

In 2014, Seattle Reign FC played at Memorial Stadium.

2014: NWSL Championship Final Loss

In 2014, the Reign lost to FC Kansas City during the NWSL championship final.

2014: Return of Nahomi Kawasumi

Nahomi Kawasumi returned to the Reign for the first time since the 2014 season.

2014: NWSL Final Broadcast on ESPN2

The 2014 NWSL final was broadcast on ESPN2.

March 2015: Periscope Streaming Debut

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.

May 2015: Attendance Record Set Against Portland Thorns

In May 2015, a match between the Reign and Portland Thorns FC in Portland set a new attendance record with 21,144 fans.

2015: Consecutive NWSL Shield Win

In 2015, Laura Harvey led the team to a consecutive NWSL Shield win.

2015: Moda Health Jersey Sponsor

In 2015, Moda Health remained the jersey sponsor.

2015: Second Loss to FC Kansas City in NWSL Championship Final

In 2015, despite winning first place in the league, the Reign lost to FC Kansas City for the second time during the NWSL championship final.

2015: Continued Play at Memorial Stadium

In 2015, the Reign chose to remain at Memorial Stadium beyond the initially intended two seasons.

2016: Loss of Core Players

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.

2016: End of YouTube Streaming

From 2013 to 2016, Seattle Reign games were streamed live by Bootstrapper Studios via YouTube, with commentary by Tom Glasgow and Lesle Gallimore.

2016: Microsoft Jersey Sponsor

In 2016, Microsoft was named as the new jersey sponsor and "presenting partner".

2016: Record Viewership for NWSL Finals

The 2016 NWSL finals between Western New York and Washington averaged more than 180,000 viewers, surpassing the 2015 record.

2016: Fifth Place Finish

The Reign finished the 2016 season in fifth place with a 8–6–8 record, narrowly missing a playoff spot by two points.

September 9, 2017: Lifetime NWSL Game of the Week Broadcast

On September 9, 2017, the Reign were featured in a nationally televised Lifetime NWSL Game of the Week broadcast.

2017: FC Kansas City Folds

FC Kansas City folded after the 2017 season, with their head coach Vlatko Andonovski joining the Reign.

2017: Laura Harvey Resigns, Vlatko Andonovski Hired

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.

2017: Seattle Reign Academy Founded

In 2017, the Seattle Reign Academy was founded and affiliated with the U.S. Soccer Development Academy system.

2017: Future in Seattle Uncertain

In late 2017, the team's future in Seattle beyond 2018 was uncertain due to issues with Memorial Stadium, including substandard playing surfaces and potential redevelopment by the Seattle School District.

2017: Fifth Place Finish

The Reign finished in fifth place for the second consecutive season in 2017, narrowly missing a playoff spot after losing 1–0 to Kansas City.

August 11, 2018: Lifetime Match Broadcast

On August 11, 2018, a Lifetime match broadcast featured Seattle.

2018: Agreement with Force 10 Sports Management

Before the 2018 season, the team announced an agreement with Force 10 Sports Management, LLC, for it to manage ticket sales and services.

2018: Played at Memorial Stadium

In 2018, Seattle Reign FC played at Memorial Stadium.

2018: Continued Uncertainty in Seattle

In 2018, issues with Memorial Stadium caused uncertainty about the team's future in Seattle.

January 2019: Zulily Announced as Jersey Sponsor

In January 2019, Zulily was announced as the team's new presenting partner and jersey sponsor, marking the first time both Seattle men's and women's soccer teams shared the same sponsor. Microsoft remained the team's technology partner.

January 2019: Relocation to Tacoma

In January 2019, due to newly enforced standards, the team relocated to Tacoma, Washington, planning to temporarily play at Cheney Stadium while a new soccer-specific stadium was constructed.

January 2019: Bill and Teresa Predmore Ownership

Until January 2019, Seattle Reign FC was wholly owned by Bill and Teresa Predmore.

January 30, 2019: Relocation to Cheney Stadium and Re-brand as Reign FC

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.

April 2019: Boeing Announced as Kit Sponsor

In April 2019, Boeing was announced as a kit sponsor for a slot on the back of both jerseys during an unveiling event for the new secondary jersey.

October 28, 2019: Vlatko Andonovski Resigns

On October 28, 2019, 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.

November 25, 2019: Exclusive Negotiations to Sell the Team

On November 25, 2019, majority owner Bill Predmore announced his entry into exclusive negotiations to sell the team to OL Groupe.

December 19, 2019: Definitive Agreement for Sale to OL Groupe

On December 19, 2019, the team announced that the parties entered into a definitive agreement for the sale to OL Groupe to be completed in January 2020.

January 2020: Acquisition of the Team by OL Groupe

In January 2020, OL Groupe acquired the team.

January 2020: Sale to OL Groupe Completed

In January 2020, the sale of the team to OL Groupe was completed.

January 17, 2020: Farid Benstiti Announced as Head Coach

On January 17, 2020, French coach Farid Benstiti was announced as the third head coach in team history.

March 6, 2020: Rebrand as OL Reign

On March 6, 2020, the team announced another rebrand 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.

November 2020: Gerard Houllier Appointed Technical Director

In November 2020, Gérard Houllier was appointed the team's technical director.

2020: NWSL Broadcasts on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+

As of 2020, NWSL matches are broadcast on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+, with international viewers able to watch on nwslsoccer.com.

2020: Regular Season Cancellation and Participation in NWSL Events

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.

2020: End of Zulily Jersey Partnership

The jersey partnership with Zulily concluded after the 2020 season.

July 2, 2021: Farid Benstiti Resigns

On July 2, 2021, Farid Benstiti resigned as head coach.

July 15, 2021: Laura Harvey Returns as Head Coach

On July 15, 2021, the team announced that Laura Harvey would return as head coach after the Tokyo Olympics.

August 29, 2021: League Attendance Record Broken at Lumen Field

On August 29, 2021, the Reign's meeting with Portland Thorns FC at Lumen Field in Seattle drew 27,248 spectators as part of a doubleheader with the Sounders and Timbers, breaking the league's attendance record.

September 30, 2021: CEO Confirms Benstiti's Resignation Due to Inappropriate Comments

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.

December 2021: Move to Lumen Field Announced

In December 2021, The Reign announced Lumen Field as their home stadium beginning in 2022.

December 2021: Return to Seattle and Lumen Field

In December 2021, the club announced that it would be returning to Seattle with Lumen Field as their new home stadium while continuing to train and operate out of Tacoma.

2021: Expansion Team Returns to Kansas City

In 2021, an expansion team returned to the Kansas City area, reviving the rivalry.

2021: Black Future Co-op Fund Featured on Jerseys

In 2021, the Reign began featuring the Black Future Co-op Fund on the front of their jerseys while searching for a new presenting sponsor.

2021: Stadium Construction Delayed

In 2021, the new soccer-specific stadium's opening, originally set for 2021, was delayed indefinitely due to feasibility issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

February 2022: Predmores Step Down from Operational Roles

In February 2022, club founders Bill and Teresa Predmore announced they would step down from their operational roles, with Vincent Berthillot succeeding Bill as CEO and Nick Perera being appointed as the new general manager.

December 2022: Farid Benstiti Abuse Investigation

In December 2022, a joint investigation found that Farid Benstiti abused players by "weight-shaming" them.

2022: MultiCare Health System Becomes Back-of-Kit Sponsor

At the start of the 2022 regular season, MultiCare Health System was announced as a back-of-kit sponsor, joining Black Future Co-op Fund and Boeing as sponsors.

2022: Play at Lumen Field Begins

In 2022, The Reign began playing at Lumen Field and exited the planned soccer-specific stadium project in Tacoma.

2022: Playoff Semifinal Loss to Kansas City Current

In 2022, the Kansas City Current won the playoff semifinal in front of a record-breaking crowd of 21,491 in Seattle, eliminating the Reign.

2022: NWSL Shield Win

In their final regular-season match of 2022, the Reign won the NWSL Shield, the team's third.

March 2023: Nick Perera Departs the Club

In March 2023, Nick Perera departed the club from his position as general manager.

April 2023: Plans Announced to Purchase Stake in OL Féminin

In April 2023, Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang announced plans to purchase a majority stake in OL Féminin, creating a conflict of interest with Seattle Reign FC.

May 2023: Lesle Gallimore Announced as General Manager

In May 2023, amidst the sale process of the team, Seattle Reign FC announced Lesle Gallimore as the club's new general manager.

June 30, 2023: OL Groupe Bought Out Predmore's Stake

Sometime after June 30, 2023, OL Groupe bought out Bill and Teresa Predmore's 7.5% ownership stake in Seattle Reign FC for $2 million.

October 2023: OL Groupe Announces Predmore Stake Buyout

In October 2023, OL Groupe 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.

2023: Megan Rapinoe Retirement

At the end of the 2023 season, forward Megan Rapinoe announced her retirement after eleven seasons with the club.

2023: Additional International Streaming Deals

In 2023, the league announced additional international streaming deals with DAZN and Tigo.

2023: Move to Starfire Sports Practice Facilities

Prior to the 2023 season, the team moved their practice facilities to Starfire Sports, awaiting the Sounders' move to Longacres.

December 31, 2023: End of Affiliation with Olympique Lyonnais

After December 31, 2023, Seattle Reign FC's affiliation with Olympique Lyonnais and OL Féminin officially ended.

January 9, 2024: Return to Original Name

On January 9, 2024, the team returned to its original name of Seattle Reign FC, with a modified version of the original crest.

February 8, 2024: Sale Process Ongoing

As of February 8, 2024, the sale process of Seattle Reign FC was still ongoing.

March 17, 2024: Deal Reached for Carlyle Group and Seattle Sounders FC to Purchase Stake

On March 17, 2024, it was announced that 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, subject to approval.

June 2024: Acquisition by Carlyle Group and Seattle Sounders FC

In June 2024, Seattle Reign FC was acquired by the private equity firm the Carlyle Group and Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders FC.

June 17, 2024: Purchase of Seattle Reign FC Finalized

On June 17, 2024, the transaction for the Carlyle Group and Seattle Sounders FC to purchase Seattle Reign FC was finalized, including Tony Parker's 3% stake.

2024: Games Available on KONG-TV

In 2024, 11 Reign games were available on KONG-TV through a local broadcast partnership with KING 5 Media Group.

2024: Seattle Reign FC II Joins WPSL

In 2024, Seattle Reign FC II, an amateur team, joined the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL).

2024: Training Facility Move to Starfire Sports

In 2024, The Reign moved their training facility to Starfire Sports.

2024: Potential Sharing of Longacres Facility

In 2024, after the Reign were acquired by the Sounders ownership group, plans to share the new Longacres facility were discussed by the two teams.

2025: Black Future Co-op Fund Sponsorship Ends

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.