The sale of Portland Thorns FC to RAJ Sports is complete, the team announced on Wednesday. According to two sources briefed on the agreement, the sale price totaled $63 million with the NWSL board of governors approving the transaction last week in a formal vote. As reported here last month, Lisa Bhathal Merage will serve as the team’s controlling owner and representative on the NWSL board of governors. Her brother and partner across multiple business entities, Alex Bhathal, will serve as the alternate governor.
The Bhathals have committed to keeping the team in Portland. The Thorns have a lease agreement in place to play in Providence Park through 2035.
“As fans ourselves, and as seasoned sports and real estate operators, we believe in the future of Portland and the NWSL, and in the tremendous opportunity that surrounds this iconic team,” Bhathal Merage said Wednesday. “We look forward to working with the Timbers throughout this transition and beyond to ensure the continued success of the Thorns at Providence Park.”
Sporting operations for the Thorns are now fully under RAJ Sports’ control. The Timbers organization will also follow through on its promise to provide operational support this season while the Bhathals build a new front office for the Thorns, ranging…
