Seattle Sounders broadcaster Ross Fletcher will depart the franchise at the end of this season, bringing to an end his four-year stint with the club. Neither Fletcher nor the Sounders provided a reason for the separation, and Fletcher did not say in his statement released by the club where he will work next.
“I would like to thank the Sounders players for providing some amazing moments on which to commentate,” Fletcher said on the Sounders web site. “Most importantly, I want to say a huge thank you to the fans, who since my first day here have been incredibly supportive.
“My family and I consider Seattle as home and we will always cherish the way in which the fans accepted us. I would like nothing more than to finish my time here by repaying them with a winning Sounders goal call in the MLS Cup final.”
Prior to joining the Sounders, Fletcher spent more than a decade covering the English Premier League, first for Derby County then with BBC Radio 5 Live. He replaced fellow Englishman Arlo White, who left the Sounders to become the lead play-by-play voice of NBC Sports’ EPL coverage.
The Sounders said Fletcher will call the club’s potential matches throughout the MLS Cup playoffs on KIRO-FM. If not, Sunday’s game against Real Salt Lake will be his last. Seattle has yet to qualify for the playoffs with only the RSL contest remaining.
“Ross has been a strong ambassador for our club over the past four seasons and a dedicated steward of our broadcast properties,” said club co-owner Adrian Hanauer. “We wish him every success on his next opportunity, and we’d like to thank him for his service to the organization.”
2 Comments
Sad news. Ross has been a great addition to the franchise and great to listen to regarding all things Sounders. Hope the best in the future for him and his family.