Fans can vote on Garth Lagerwey’s job starting today

The process by which Seattle Sounders fans can vote on general manager Garth Lagerwey’s job has officially begun. The vote on whether or not to retain Lagerwey opens on Sept. 19 and will continue through Oct. 17, with each Alliance Member allowed to cast one vote per season ticket they control.

In order for the vote to be valid, at least 40 percent of Alliance Members will need to cast a ballot. The last time Sounders fans voted on the general manager’s job, 96.3 percent of the votes cast were to retain Adrian Hanauer toward the end of the 2012 season, which was his fourth season in charge. This is Lagerwey’s fourth seasons since being hired before the start of the 2015 campaign.

For Lagerwey to be fired, at least 67 percent of all votes cast would have to be “no confidence.” Results of the vote will be revealed during the Annual Business Meeting in November.

Fans can either vote online or in person during home games on Sept. 19 and 29 and Oct. 8.

The concept of a binding fan retention vote was conceived of by Sounders minority owner Drew Carey and it was broadly modeled on FC Barcelona’s system. Unlike Barcelona’s election, though, Sounders fans will not be allowed to select an alternative to Lagerwey, only on whether or not he should be retained.

Limited as it may be, the feature is unique in North American sports.