Top Sports Teams in Seattle

Seattle Sports

In September of 1995 voters in King County defeated a measure that would have provided funding for a new baseball stadium. The Seattle Mariners, who had entered the Major Leagues in 1977, and had suffered through 18 seasons of futility, were as good as gone. However, something unexpected happened on the way out of town, the team won the 1995 American League West Division title.

With a team that featured Ken Griffey, Jr., Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner, and pitcher Randy Johnson, the Mariners made a furious late season comeback to catch their rivals the Anaheim Angels. Tied in the standings at the end of the regular season, the M's defeated the Angels in an exciting one-game playoff to earn their first postseason appearance in club history. In the American League Division Series, the M's rallied from a 0-2 games deficit to defeat the New York Yankees in one of the most thrilling five-game sets in the history of professional baseball. The fifth and final game was decided in the bottom of the 12th inning when Martinez doubled to left field and Griffey scored the game-winning run all the way from first base.

The Mariners improbable run, which featured several come-from-behind victories, increased interest in the team so much that the Washington State legislature was able to find an alternate way to publicly fund a new stadium and keep the team in Seattle. The new stadium, Safeco Field, opened July 15, 1999. Just two years later, the Mariners won 116 games to tie the regular season record for most victories. Unfortunately for Seattle baseball fans, the season did not end with a world championship as the Yankees defeated the Mariners 4-1 in the ALCS.

The Mariners weren't the only Seattle team to get a new stadium around the turn-of-the-century. In 2002, the Seattle Seahawks moved into the brand new, state-of-the-art, Qwest Field. Three years later, the franchise reached the Super Bowl for the first time ever. That historic team was coached by Mike Holmgren and featured NFL MVP running back Shaun Alexander and All-Pro quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

The Seahawks are aligned in the West Division of the NFC. Their main rivals are the Arizona Cardinals, the St. Louis Rams, and the San Francisco 49'ers. The Seahawks entered the NFL in 1976 and are the only team to have played in both the AFC and NFC championship games.

Also playing at Qwest Field is Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer. The Sounders joined the nation's top soccer league in 2009 and in their first year set an MLS record for average attendance. They also sold the most season tickets of any MLS team. Among the franchise's owners are Paul Allen, owner of the Seattle Seahawks, and comedian Drew Carey.

The Seattle Storm of the WNBA play at Key Arena. The franchise joined the Western Conference of the WNBA in 2000 and four years later won the league's championship title. During the Storm's first decade they were led by superstars Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird. Storm games are known for their family-friendly atmosphere and the weather-related tie-ins. For instance, the team's mascot is named "Doppler."

The University of Washington's athletic program is made up of 9 men's and 10 women's sports. The school was a charter member of the Pac-10 and its teams compete under the name Washington Huskies. The most high profile sports at the school are football, men's basketball, and women's softball. The football team plays at Husky Stadium and they've claimed, or were awarded, four national championships in the 20th century. The men's basketball team plays at Hec Edmundson Pavilion located on the campus of the University of Washington. Famous basketball alumni include Detlef Schrempf, Brandon Roy, Bob Houbregs, and James Edwards. The women's softball team, which won the national championship in 2009, plays at Husky Softball Stadium.

The Emerald City's professional sports team may not have long and storied histories, but fans more than make up for the lack of tradition with enthusiasm and passion. Teams and players that do well in Seattle are rewarded with unyielding support.