Seattle Sounders co-owner Paul Allen has died following a battle with cancer, as announced on Monday. He was 65.
Allen announced earlier in the month on his Twitter account that his Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma had returned, and vowed to "fight this challenge."
The Washington native was a prominent figure in technology, business, philanthropy and sports, both locally and nationally. Allen co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates in the 1970s, and that company grew to become a global tech titan.
Among his other ventures, he owned the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, NFL's Seattle Seahawks, and helped bring the Sounders to MLS, where they were an instant hit upon their arrival in 2009. Over 10 seasons, the Sounders have won four U.S. Open Cups (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014), one Supporters' Shield (2014) and one MLS Cup (2016).
Following the news, tributes began pouring out to Allen, including from MLS Commissioner Don Garber, fellow Sounders owner Drew Carey and Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson:
