In 2007, Major League Soccer (MLS) awarded an expansion team to Seattle. The ownership group, including comedian Drew Carey and billionaire Paul Allen did a poll of their new fans, and they voted in the team name “Sounders”. But that was just the beginning.
Check out this clip from HBO’s Real Sports.
The team is the only US soccer team with its own marching band. It has the highest attendance in the league. And, it has the Sounders FC Alliance – a group of season ticket holders and other paying members who have special powers. The Alliance has the power to replace the General Manager if he isn’t doing a good job.
The team’s energetic fan base is the rage of the league. And that energy comes from a feeling of ownership – the same energy that local companies can get through equity crowdfunding.
Jonathan Frutkin is CEO of Cricca Funding, LLC. He’s written a new book called “Equity Crowdfunding: Transforming Customers into Loyal Owners” which was published in May, 2013.
Cricca Funding 
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