How Drew Carey became a part-owner of MLS' Seattle Sounders FC

From Sounders FC: AUTHENTIC MASTERPIECE: The Inside Story Of The Best Franchise Launch In American Sports History, by Mike Gastineau. Copyright © 2013 by Mike

The Sounders draw more than 43,000 fans a game to CenturyLink Field, an average that ranks among the world's 40 best :: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

From Sounders FC: AUTHENTIC MASTERPIECE: The Inside Story Of The Best Franchise Launch In American Sports History, by Mike Gastineau. Copyright © 2013 by Mike Gastineau. To purchase a copy of the book, click here for Amazon.com or visit Gastineau's website for more information.

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Ignoring the pain Carey says, "I just shot right into it ... arm in a sling ... covered in ice ... should have been in the hospital ... and telling him passionately about something I believed in. I think that's what sold him."

Sounders part-owner Drew Carey :: Joshua Weisberg/Icon SMI

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Seattle Sounders owners Joe Roth (left) and Drew Carey look on prior to a fan rally in 2011 / AP

Sigi Schmid had lost control of his team.

Sigi Schmid has been the head coach of the Sounders since their inaugural MLS season in 2009 / AP

Mike Gastineau has been a fixture in the Seattle sports broadcasting community since 1991. Gastineau's previous books include The Great Book of Seattle Sports Lists with Art Thiel and Steve Rudman (Running Press, 2009) and he has been a contributor to The Seattle Times, Lindy's College Football and The Grand Salami. For more, check out his website and follow him on Twitter: @gasman206