Sounders launch Circle of Legends to honor past

Fans have long asked for the Seattle Sounders to install something similar to the Seattle Seahawks’ Ring of Honor at Lumen Field. It appears that could now be happening.

The Sounders announced on Wednesday they’ll start honoring MLS-era players, players from 1974-2008, coaches and “builders” by enshrining them in what will be called the Circle of Legends. Although details in the announcement are a bit thin, Sounder at Heart confirmed that it will be a physical display in view of fans inside the stadium and was directly compared to the Ring of Honor.

The first inductees will be the original 1974 Sounders, whose spot will be christened at Saturday’s 50th Anniversary match.

In the future, inductees will need to go through a multi-step process.

• A list of eligible candidates will be compiled at the end of each season and remain on the ballot for up to three years, with some allowances for extenuating circumstances.
• Up to six nominees will be chosen by a panel made up of four Sounders alumni, two Alliance Council members, two owners and two staff members.
• They’ll then send their selections to the larger body that will be made up of current and former players and coaches; current full-time Sounders soccer and business staff who have been with the team multiple years; owners; Alliance Council; Alliance members; and accredited media.
• Those various voting blocs will be weighted with Alliance Members counting for 25%; alumni counting for 20%; Alliance Council counting for 15%; owners counting for 15%; media counting for 15%; and staff counting for 10%.
• To gain induction nominees will need to appear on 75% of ballots.