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Sounders FC: Authentic Masterpiece: The Inside Story Of The Best Franchise Launch In American Sports History
It sounds like the start of a great joke: A minor-league sports executive, one of the richest men in the world, a stand-up comedian, and a Hollywood movie producer conspire to start a soccer team. But what Adrian Hanauer, Paul Allen, Drew Carey, and Joe Roth did when they started the Seattle Sounders FC was no joke. They meticulously planned the launch of the Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise with an eye toward some lofty goals. Then they stood back in amazement as they rocketed far beyond those goals buoyed by a team that ignored its “expansion” label and a fan base that wildly embraced them. Through interviews with key executives, athletes and fans, author Mike Gastineau tells the story leading up to the launch of Sounders FC, the MLS expansion franchise whose seemingly overnight success has captured the attention of the Seattle sports community, sports and entertainment executives, soccer followers across the country and the national news media. In Sounders FC Authentic Masterpiece, readers will learn: * How a money-losing soccer club rocketed from the ranks of the minor leagues to Major League Soccer drawing sell-outs and regularly topping 50,000 fans per match. * The unique relationships between the eclectic group of seasoned sports executives, Hollywood celebrities and bar room soccer fans who came together to build a sports culture that validated Major League Soccer in Seattle and across the country. * The personalities of the players and coaches who took different paths to the team and turned their diversity into a winning team starting on opening night. Gastineau communicates to readers the entire history of events that led to the Sounders FC launch beginning with the role soccer fans played in securing a professional football stadium for the Seattle Seahawks. Also emphasized in the book are the soccer fans, bar owners and soccer subculture that existed in Seattle and was waiting to be acknowledge by mainstream professional sports leaders and media. The book also details how that soccer subculture directly impacted one of the biggest deals in MLS history, the signing of superstar Clint Dempsey in 2013. This is a story of sports, business, culture, timing, and luck. It demonstrates how powerful business people were able to check their egos and embrace their customers all for the sake of the fans, the city, and a soccer culture desperate to embrace a sports team that treated them with respect.
- GenresSportsSoccerNonfiction
270 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2013
13 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Mike Gastineau
5 books5 followersMike Gastineau is a freelance writer, author, broadcaster, and communications consultant.
His written work has appeared in SportspressNW.com, the Seattle Times, the Seattle Mariners Magazine, the Washington Athletic Club Magazine, Lindy’s College Football Magazine, and The Grand Salami. He has authored four books and consulted on a fifth.
His latest book, Fear No Man, details the 1991 University of Washington's successful quest to win a national college football title.
In 2018 he released Mr. Townsend and the Polish Prince. The book tells the remarkable story of Joe Purzycki, the first-ever white head football coach at a Historically Black College, and Nelson Townsend, the athletic director who had the courage to hire him. A script for a film based on the book is in development.
In 2015 he consulted with adventurer Stephen Trafton on Trafton’s book At The Edge, a story of Trafton’s adventures in the Arctic, his world-record high speed driving at Bonneville, and his colorful banking career. Gastineau wrote the first draft of the book and conducted most of the interviews for stories that were used in the book.
In 2013 his book Sounders FC: Authentic Masterpiece was published. The critically acclaimed regional best seller details the story behind the Seattle Sounders successful launch as a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in 2009. The book was published in Brazil in 2015.
In 2009, he teamed up with Art Thiel and Steve Rudman to co-author The Great Book of Seattle Sports Lists.
He worked full-time as a sports talk show host at KJR Radio in Seattle from 1991 to 2012.
Gastineau is on the Board of Directors for The Northwest Literacy Foundation, and the Morris Trophy.
Prior to his arrival in Seattle in 1991 he worked in radio in Montana, Nebraska, and Virginia. He is a 1982 graduate of Indiana University.
Mike and his wife Renee live on Whidbey Island with their dog Chico.
His written work has appeared in SportspressNW.com, the Seattle Times, the Seattle Mariners Magazine, the Washington Athletic Club Magazine, Lindy’s College Football Magazine, and The Grand Salami. He has authored four books and consulted on a fifth.
His latest book, Fear No Man, details the 1991 University of Washington's successful quest to win a national college football title.
In 2018 he released Mr. Townsend and the Polish Prince. The book tells the remarkable story of Joe Purzycki, the first-ever white head football coach at a Historically Black College, and Nelson Townsend, the athletic director who had the courage to hire him. A script for a film based on the book is in development.
In 2015 he consulted with adventurer Stephen Trafton on Trafton’s book At The Edge, a story of Trafton’s adventures in the Arctic, his world-record high speed driving at Bonneville, and his colorful banking career. Gastineau wrote the first draft of the book and conducted most of the interviews for stories that were used in the book.
In 2013 his book Sounders FC: Authentic Masterpiece was published. The critically acclaimed regional best seller details the story behind the Seattle Sounders successful launch as a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in 2009. The book was published in Brazil in 2015.
In 2009, he teamed up with Art Thiel and Steve Rudman to co-author The Great Book of Seattle Sports Lists.
He worked full-time as a sports talk show host at KJR Radio in Seattle from 1991 to 2012.
Gastineau is on the Board of Directors for The Northwest Literacy Foundation, and the Morris Trophy.
Prior to his arrival in Seattle in 1991 he worked in radio in Montana, Nebraska, and Virginia. He is a 1982 graduate of Indiana University.
Mike and his wife Renee live on Whidbey Island with their dog Chico.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 2, 2014
Some sports books do a decent job of telling the story of a team but sometimes leave me feeling like "well that was nice." Often it feels like they barely scratch the surface. Authentic Masterpiece has just the right amount of details, personal quotes,and flow of story. The story was well told and worth the read.
January 13, 2014
Fantastic book! I am a huge soccer fan (go Arsenal!) and have begun following some MLS games recently. Suffice to say that once the 2014 season kicks off I will be following and rooting for the Sounders and I don't care that I live over 3,000 miles away!
July 27, 2017
Gostaria que os responsaveis pelo Internacional lessem esse livro e tentassem aprender um pouco sobre gestão de empresas (clubes também são empresas0 e gestão de clientes (torcedores e sócio-torcedores também são clientes).
Apesar de citar a construção de uma equipe de futebol nos EUA, este livro pode ser usado para gestão de empresas.
Apesar de citar a construção de uma equipe de futebol nos EUA, este livro pode ser usado para gestão de empresas.
January 28, 2021
A great insight into the start of arguably the greatest expansion franchise in professional sports. It really made me want to get to Seattle to experience a game.
May 16, 2021
Fantastic
Just an incredible blow by blow account of how one of the most successful expansion franchises came to be. Fantastic!
Just an incredible blow by blow account of how one of the most successful expansion franchises came to be. Fantastic!
December 27, 2013
The easiest thing to say about this book is that every Sounders fan should read it. But in truth, if you are remotely interested in soccer (not simply MLS but any soccer/fútbol league or team) you will find much value. The stories of how things came together wind up being broad, universal and worldwide.
Any Sounders fan will likely feel an intimate connection with this story. Whether you're ECS or just take in a game at times, your experience is reflected here. And in a powerful way.
If there's a downside it is the realization that as the team matures a "second book" is no assured. The honeymoon is ending and now we test the marriage. A happy one, at that, but no longer laying on a beach, it is. It's at home with screaming kids and stress and uncertainty. I, for one, can't wait for what happens next!
Any Sounders fan will likely feel an intimate connection with this story. Whether you're ECS or just take in a game at times, your experience is reflected here. And in a powerful way.
If there's a downside it is the realization that as the team matures a "second book" is no assured. The honeymoon is ending and now we test the marriage. A happy one, at that, but no longer laying on a beach, it is. It's at home with screaming kids and stress and uncertainty. I, for one, can't wait for what happens next!
October 18, 2014
This is a great read for any Sounders fan, full of behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes about the improbable MLS franchise launch and all of the pieces in pace years-in-the-making and recent developments that made it all possible.
Gastineau balances well factual happenings and goings-on with the flair and bombast that is appropriate only in sport. You come away with a greater understanding of the backstory and underpinnings of the Sounders as well as a clear picture of what the team's launch and early successes have meant for many of the principals involved as well as the city as a whole.
Gastineau balances well factual happenings and goings-on with the flair and bombast that is appropriate only in sport. You come away with a greater understanding of the backstory and underpinnings of the Sounders as well as a clear picture of what the team's launch and early successes have meant for many of the principals involved as well as the city as a whole.
January 13, 2014
If I thought I was a passionate Sounders FC fan before reading this, I am hopelessly enamored now. A great book on soccer, Seattle, and of course the Sounders. But, it's also a book about business and the power of building a great organization, doing things right and having big vision and dreams.
Each chapter is a puzzle piece of the story of how Seattle had the most successful franchise launch in history and continues to make waves globally as a growing brand.
Scarves Up!
Each chapter is a puzzle piece of the story of how Seattle had the most successful franchise launch in history and continues to make waves globally as a growing brand.
Scarves Up!
March 10, 2016
A great insight into the beginning of the Sounders history at the grassroots level. There is so much about their story that I didn't know. I really enjoyed the stories of how such an eclectic ownership/front office came together. Hearing everyone's passion for the game and for the team is a real treat. Fantastic read, great story. Thank you, Gas.
May 28, 2014
This text could easily be a fun, yet educational way to paint a picture of the rise of a MLS/soccer franchise in classroom setting. Used this book extensively for research purposes because after all, it is an excellent account of what to do.
December 1, 2013
A must-read if you're a Sounders fan. I really enjoyed this behind the scenes look at how the Sounders came together.
December 17, 2013
Loved this book. Great stuff about how owners can work with supporters to make a team work.
March 15, 2014
The writing is unpolished and the tone is pretty rah-rah, but it was interesting to see behind the scenes of the organization.
January 24, 2014
A very readable and thorough history of the Sounders. If you're interested in the Sounders, you should read this book. Otherwise, you probably shouldn't.
April 18, 2016
Fantastic, well-written story about the series of events that brought the Sounders to Seattle. A great read for any Seattle sports fan!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews