The event at Yesler Terrace with the Sounders’ medley of new minority owners on Monday morning was slickly produced, the club’s first opportunity to leverage this influx of celebrity for increased exposure.



R&B singer Ciara gave a motivational speech to a group of rapt youths. Russell Wilson, her husband and the Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback, earned a couple of polite chuckles with an awkward line about “football” and “fútbol.” Macklemore, perhaps in homage to his most famous song, showed up wearing an outfit befitting a septuagenarian.



The theme of the event was family, the general vibe triumphant. Whether the ownership change is ultimately a positive or negative thing for the club long-term, it’s an easy sell superficially.



The photo-ops all having been completed, the superstars having been hustled away as quickly as they arrived, Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey and coach Brian Schmetzer...