Seattle Sounders FC today proudly announced the addition of three partner families to the club’s ownership group. The new investors include the families of Adam Selipsky, CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS); Rick Cantu, CEO and Co-Founder of Redapt, Inc.; and Jay Stein, President of Sand Capital and President of Sandor, a nationwide real estate development company. These new investors are bringing wide-ranging expertise and proven records of success to the Rave Green.
“Today we welcome three new families to the Sounders FC ownership group,” said Sounders FC Majority Owner Adrian Hanauer. “The Selipskys, Cantus and Steins are joining the Rave Green as the club enters a critical and exciting time in its history. These additions bring the team successful, respected and passionate leaders in innovative spaces, as well as deep connections and diversity of insight that strengthens our club and pushes our organizational goals forward. Sounders FC has never been content to stand in place; we’re a club that has led the way in every league of which we’ve been a part and our goal is to continue to capture that spirit of innovation and drive to achieve. Today’s announcement is a continuation of that ethos.”
“As Sounders FC looks ahead to the next six to eight years, the exploration of calculated strategic investments is key to expanding the organization’s reach and influence,” said Sounders FC President of Business Operations Hugh Weber. “I’m looking forward to the ways in which Adam, Rick, Jay and their families – with their collective expertise and scope – will positively affect this path forward.”
As Sounders FC marks the club’s 50th anniversary in 2024, the organization is focused on building upon its legacy of success, guided by the six-year strategic growth plan unveiled by Majority Owner Adrian Hanauer earlier this year. Major initiatives aligned with the timeline for the Sounders FC’s strategic plan include:
• The completion of a state-of-the-art training facility and corporate office for the Sounders FC Center at Longacres. Plans for the 158-acre site include a holistic “live, work, play” design, with office space, retail, housing, recreational sports and the ability to host live events.
• A year-long brand and community campaign to celebrate the Sounders FC’s 50th Anniversary in 2024, known as March to the 50th.
• Sounders FC’s qualification for and participation in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. An indication of the club’s ambition to compete globally and build an international brand, the Club World Cup provides the Rave Green with a significant moment for team and organizational influence.
• Sounders FC’s initiatives to align and maximize club engagement with the largest sporting event in the world, FIFA World Cup 2026™. Seattle’s successful bid to host global soccer’s showcase event was announced in June of last year.
• Exploration of strategic investments and acquisitions that build synergies with Sounders FC, including real estate, technology and fan engagement platforms.
• Growth of the core Sounders FC’s business operations structure with a continued and increased emphasis on community and fan-centric initiatives.
In support of reaching these goals, today’s announcement welcomes three new families as club ownership partners with backgrounds that will support Sounders FC’s ambitious efforts.
ADAM & LAURA SELIPSKY
Adam Selipsky joins Sounders FC’s ownership group bringing deep roots in both the tech industry and Seattle, where he was raised. Selipsky is the CEO of AWS, the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud, and also leads Worldwide Sustainability across Amazon, overseeing efforts to scale and drive Amazon’s adoption of renewable energy, path to net-zero carbon emissions, and other company-wide initiatives.
Having previously led AWS Marketing, Sales, and Support from its infancy, Selipsky was instrumental in launching and growing AWS from a startup into a multi-billion-dollar business. In 2016, Selipsky left to become president and CEO of data visualization pioneer Tableau Software, where he led the company through its acquisition by Salesforce in what was the third-largest software industry acquisition at the time, before returning to AWS in 2021.
Selipsky is a member of the World Economic Forum Information, Technology, and Communications governors, and serves on the Harvard Business School Dean’s Advisory Board. He has an AB in government from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
“As long-time Sounders fans and Seattleites, we are thrilled to join the Rave Green family as part of Sounders FC’s ownership group,” said Adam and Laura Selipsky. “Adam grew up here cheering for the Sounders in Memorial Stadium starting in 1974. Attending Sounders MLS matches has been a core part of raising our kids in the Puget Sound area. It is a great honor to take this passion and our other experiences to help the club continue to grow and prosper.”
RICK & JAMIE CANTU
Rick Cantu, entrepreneur and seasoned tech executive, currently serves as CEO and Co-Founder of Redapt, Inc. He is a key contributor to the company’s vision, business strategy, product development, marketing approach and global operations, with a focus on sustaining a collaborative and results-oriented culture.
Cantu has helped see Redapt through tremendous growth, guiding the company from its original roots of refurbishing and reselling computers through various pivots and adaptations. His dedication to listening to customers and staying abreast of technological developments and customer needs has seen Redapt develop into a full-service systems integrator that delivers innovative data center infrastructure and cloud solutions tailored to business goals.
In addition to his work with Redapt, Cantu sits on the Swedish Health Services Board of Trustees and is a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization.
Cantu, his wife, Jamie, and children now proudly join Sounders FC’s family of investors.
“Joining the Sounders FC ownership group is a great privilege for our family,” said Rick and Jamie Cantu. “As proud Washingtonians, this opportunity allows us to not only contribute to the success of our beloved team, but also to give back to the community that has shaped us and given us so much. Soccer has always been a driving force for us, and we are honored to be part of an organization led by Adrian that shares the same passion and values.”
JAY STEIN
Jay Stein brings to Sounders FC’s ownership group experience garnered through his prolific career in real estate development and finance, with a passion for creativity, innovation and extreme financial discipline. Stein is President of Sand Capital and President of the Scottsdale division of Sandor – one of the largest privately-held shopping center developers in the nation, owning and operating over eight million square feet of retail across 25 states.
Stein is responsible for the development and portfolio growth of both organizations and oversees the acquisition and disposition of undeveloped land, existing buildings, single-tenant assets, distressed debt and the development and redevelopment of commercial real estate.
He joined Sandor in 1989, when the company had developments in only two states. Since then, Stein has originated and completed the development, redevelopment and purchase of well over 500 significant properties. These activities have expanded the company's portfolio to include over seven million square feet in 25 states, with approximately 50 employees, becoming one of the largest privately held shopping center owners in the country.
Stein also has experience in sporting ventures, as he and his cousin David formed a small group that owns over 25 percent of Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies and are partners in Leeds United of the English Championship. He is also acquiring a minority position in an NWSL team on the west coast.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in real estate and finances, as well as a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Arizona.
“We are incredibly honored and fortunate to have joined the Sounders family,” said Jay Stein. “We look forward to not only being active and passionate fans, but also participating as part of this dedicated ownership group to further the success of this storied franchise, both on the pitch and in the community.”
Selipsky, Cantu and Stein and their families join a diverse group of Sounders FC partners with direct ties to Seattle and a wealth of experience in sports, entertainment, technology, broadcast, finance and more. The Rave Green’s ownership group expanded for the first time in 2019, with several key additions since that point. More information regarding Sounders FC’s full ownership group can be found via SoundersFC.com.
