PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Thorns have been sold to California-based RAJ Sports in what a source close to the sale described as a $63 million deal, the largest in National Women's Soccer League history.
The team will continue to play at Providence Park in Portland under an existing lease that extends through 2035. The new owners also plan to build a new training facility for the team in Portland, according to a news release from the Thorns and RAJ Sports.
RAJ Sports is owned by the Bhathal family, which includes Lisa Bhathal Merage, her brother Alex Bhathal and their parents Raj and Marta Bhathal. The family bought the Sacramento Kings in 2013 and was reported to be in talks to acquire the Thorns back in November. Lisa Bhathal Merage will serve as controlling owner and NWSL Governor, with Alex Bhathal serving as Alternate NWSL Governor.
The source close to the sale said the process took 15 months because former Thorns owner Merritt Paulson wanted to find female ownership based on the West Coast.
The Thorns have been on the market for more than a year following the release of a damning investigation into sexual abuse and misconduct in the NWSL that prominently featured the Thorns and its leadership. Paulson, who also owns the Portland Timbers through parent company Peregrine Sports LLC, fired key staffers from the organization and later stepped down as CEO of both clubs while pledging to sell the Thorns — but not the Timbers.
The NWSL Board of Governors formally voted to approve the Thorns sale last week. A "first-class, purpose-built, women's soccer-specific training facility," is a key component of the deal, according to the news release. The Thorns will continue to train at Providence Park until 2025.
"Our vision is to support new, widespread growth for the Thorns, the people of Portland, and for women’s sports as a whole," Lisa Bhathal Merage said in a statement. "Specifically, we bring deep experience in professional sports and large-scale real estate developments that create thriving community centers, making us well-positioned to deliver valuable assets that will support further growth for the players, staff, and fans."
The Timbers organization will continue to help with tickets and front-office logistics for the Thorns, but RAJ Sports will take over all sports decision-making for the team immediately.
"For this next phase of growth and stability, I am delighted to transfer ownership of the Thorns to Lisa Bhathal Merage and her family, whose extensive experience in sports and business make them ideal owners," Paulson said in a statement. "Having female-led ownership and a commitment to construct the Thorns a dedicated training facility are tremendous positives. I remain committed to the Thorns’ success at their Providence Park home, and we are excited about making our operating partnership with the Bhathals smooth and successful for all involved, and most importantly, seamless for Thorns players, staff, and fans."