UPDATE: Alliance Council Vice President Stephanie Steiner offered an explanation as to why this year’s event is a conference call rather than a live event, essentially chalking it up to activities around MLS Cup and other postseason plans.

Some important context from ABM added by @AllianceCouncil vp https://t.co/PHwfeX43xt pic.twitter.com/4iiHncFVCc — Sounder At Heart (@sounderatheart) November 27, 2019

Steiner said that a live event at CenturyLink Field was originally planned for Nov. 12, but the celebratory parade made that virtually impossible. Later dates proved problematic for various front office personnel’s schedules. In previous years, the Annual Business Meeting had been held during the playoffs, but the compressed schedule likely proved problematic.

Well, it’s not quite a parade or a party, but the Seattle Sounders announced Tuesday that their Annual Business Meeting (ABM) will be held by video conference call on Tuesday, December 3 at 6:30 p.m.

The ABM provides the Sounders the opportunity to update fans, media and Alliance Members with a more detailed presentation on how the organization fared over the year off the field. Season ticket retention, attendance, fan engagement and team performance are all generally up for discussion. Additionally, there was typically a Q & A with members of the Sounders front office in a somewhat relaxed and free-form manner.

The ABM however, has waned in recent years as an “event.” In the early years, the meeting was held at venues like the Paramount and even CenturyLink Field itself, where Sounders players would be in attendance and large crowds would show up.

For the last couple years, the team has held the event at the Ninety—the team’s own downtown headquarters. The limited space at the venue restricted the number of attendees, though the Sounders still streamed the event live, as they will again this year.

The announcement of a video conference call seems to indicate a continued reduced focus on the event, though the Sounders’ run to MLS Cup has impacted their scheduling this year, according to a release from the team.

“Our amazing MLS Cup run has led to some schedule challenges to get Sounders FC ownership, business, soccer, and Alliance Council leadership in the room at the same time,” a team release said. “New to 2019, we are leveraging new technology so our Alliance Members, no matter their location, can participate in this year’s Annual Alliance Business Meeting.”

Those interested in asking the front office a question will be able to participate in the conference call.

How to Participate: