News from Seattle: a march in support of Ukraine on the war’s anniversary, the Seattle Sounders’ home season opener, and the start of the sale of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.
Solidarity in Seattle: March Supporting Ukraine on the Anniversary of the War
On Sunday, a march and rally will take place in downtown Seattle to mark a solemn date — the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The event will serve as another reminder of the ongoing conflict and an expression of support for the Ukrainian people from the American public.
The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the famous Pike Place Market, after which participants will march to the Mural Amphitheater at Seattle Center. The main rally will be held there from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Marcia Jacobs, communications director for the organization Ukraine Defense Support, said about 1,000 people are expected to participate. Washington Congressman Adam Smith also plans to support the event. However, Jacobs noted that some potential participants may be reluctant to join out of fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) patrols, reflecting a complex social reality for parts of the immigrant community.
Organizers emphasize the special importance of this year’s action. “This year’s march and rally are particularly important because Ukrainians are facing the harshest winter since the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022,” Jacobs said. She noted that near-constant Russian strikes on Ukraine’s power infrastructure have left millions without electricity, gas, and water amid freezing temperatures well below zero. This situation gives solidarity actions not just symbolic but humanitarian significance, reminding people of Ukrainians’ urgent needs.
The event comes against a backdrop of formal support from state authorities. On February 19, the Washington State Senate passed a resolution in support of Ukraine. Anton Yefremov, president of Ukraine Defense Support, in remarks published on the KIRO 7 website, clearly stated the organization’s position: “We stand with Ukraine! We do not turn our backs on the Ukrainian people or on those who share our democratic values of freedom, justice and sovereignty. We will not stop until all Ukrainian prisoners of war return home to their families and until all kidnapped Ukrainian children are returned. We will not stop providing urgently needed support to the front until Ukraine is free and liberated. Ukraine’s fight is our fight!” These words reflect deep personal and political engagement from the diaspora and activists for whom the war has become a personal challenge.
Holding such a rally in a major American city like Seattle shows that, even though the war has entered its fourth year, attention and solidarity remain high in certain circles. It is not just a commemorative event but an action aimed at mobilizing support, drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis, and reminding politicians of the need to continue aid. Fears among parts of the community regarding ICE, mentioned by organizers, add another dimension to the agenda, showing how domestic U.S. issues (in this case immigration policy) can affect forms of civic engagement. Ultimately, the march in Seattle is a microcosm of a broader movement seeking to keep Ukraine in the international spotlight and to pressure for goals activists consider just: the return of prisoners, children, and the complete liberation of the country.
How to Watch the Seattle Sounders’ Home Opener in the 2026 Season
The Seattle Sounders are preparing for an important event — the home opener of the MLS 2026 season, which will be a special moment for the team and its fans after the emotional highs and lows of last year. On Sunday at the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field, the Sounders will host the Colorado Rapids, and this match will mark not only the start of the campaign but also the beginning of a period of change for their home venue.
Despite a bright success last season — winning the Leagues Cup, which added another trophy to the club’s cabinet — the Sounders suffered playoff disappointment in the 2025 MLS Cup, losing to Minnesota United. Players say that defeat has become motivation for a fresh start, and the team is eager to begin the season with a win in front of the home crowd. However, fans will have limited time to enjoy home games at Lumen Field early in the season: the stadium will close for renovation in mid-April to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when it will host tournament matches. That gives the opener extra significance — it will be one of the last matches on the familiar pitch before major changes.
For those who want to support the team, the match kicks off Sunday at 6:15 p.m. local time. Broadcasts will be available across platforms: on FS1, via the Apple TV streaming service, and on radio at SiriusXM FC 157, 93.3 KJR FM and El Rey 1360AM. For fans following online, updates will be posted in the Match Center. Detailed information on how to buy tickets or connect to broadcasts is available on the club’s official match-watching page, as reported by FOX 13 Seattle.
Historically, the Sounders have been very effective at home, winning about 70% of matches at Lumen Field, making them one of the league leaders in that metric. That factor could play a key role in the match against the Colorado Rapids, setting the tone for the season. For fans, the match is not just a sporting event but a chance to say goodbye to the stadium’s current form before its transformation for the global football festival. Thus, the 2026 home opener symbolizes both a new beginning for a team seeking revenge after last year’s disappointment and a transitional phase for Seattle’s football infrastructure.
Sale of the Seattle Seahawks: Astronomical Price, Private Equity, and the Future of the Champions
The announcement of the formal start of the sale process for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks has become a major event in sports business. The Paul Allen estate, which has owned the team since his death in 2018, announced the start of a deal that experts say could set a new valuation record for league franchises. To unpack the nuances of the upcoming sale, it’s worth turning to analysis by former Green Bay Packers vice president and ex-ESPN analyst Andrew Brandt, who spoke in detail on the Wyman and Bob show on Seattle Sports.
The price the Allen estate could fetch for the team promises to be “staggering.” It is expected to surpass the current record of $6.05 billion set by the sale of the Washington Commanders in 2023. As of last August, Forbes valued the Seahawks at $6.7 billion, ranking them 14th among NFL teams. However, after the Super Bowl win earlier this month, the franchise’s value has undoubtedly increased. Brandt suggests figures could top $7 billion. Interestingly, the Seahawks are the first team in history to be put up for sale immediately after winning the NFL championship. The situation resembles the sale of the Boston Celtics in 2024, which occurred just two weeks after their NBA Finals victory. As the expert notes, this is a classic “sell at the peak” strategy, analogous to a player entering free agency after a stellar season. But what matters more for long-term value is not a momentary success but a steady trajectory of club development. The Seahawks’ roster is loaded with young talent, and the tandem of general manager John Schneider and young rising coach Mike Macdonald is considered one of the best in the league, suggesting a bright future for the team.
A key aspect of the coming deal could be private equity participation. In 2024, NFL owners voted to allow investment funds to buy minority stakes in clubs. The total share of such capital in any team is capped at 10%, and participation must be passive — without voting rights or decision-making authority. Brandt expects such capital to be involved in the bidding: one or more billionaires may serve as primary buyers while private investment funds provide financial backing for their bids as “silent” partners. Regarding the sale process itself, NFL rules require the controlling owner to hold at least 30% of the shares and limit the total number of co-owners to 25. The deal must also be approved by at least 24 of the 32 club owners. Brandt believes the influence of other owners on the buyer selection is sometimes overstated. In his view, the league, like any business, seeks a partner with colossal and stable resources. For the transaction, the Allen estate has enlisted investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins. The former, Brandt notes, is a “regular player” in similar NFL deals. The league’s finance committee will vet all contenders, narrowing the field to several finalists before bringing the decision to an owners’ vote.
Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, is often mentioned among potential buyers. However, Brandt doubts his interest. The expert argues: why would Bezos want a single team when Amazon Prime already has exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football broadcasts, effectively giving him access to all 32 teams at a much lower cost than buying a franchise. You can hear more of Andrew Brandt’s view in the full interview on Seattle Sports. Thus, the sale of the Seattle Seahawks is more than a transfer of ownership. It is a deal that reflects the NFL’s current financial might, new trends in attracting capital, and a strategic decision to sell an asset at the peak of success, supported by solid sporting prospects.
