From the board and steering committees

As supporters of the Portland Thorns and Portland Timbers, we welcome the news that Merritt Paulson is no longer involved in day-to-day decision-making for the Club and that he has removed himself as CEO. The Timbers and Thorns are one club, and this change in leadership for PTFC is a long overdue step in the process to make this club safer and better for everyone who works there.

At this moment, it’s important to center the players and employees — both those who came forward and those who suffered in silence — and we hope their voices continue to be heard. We support and love the players and this town, and we want to express our ongoing commitment to ensuring that PTFC is a safe and welcoming place to work, both on and off the pitch. We hope that this is the start of the healing process, as well as an opportunity to advocate for the additional changes needed in the National Women's Soccer League, the Portland Timbers and Thorns organization, and our community.

While the personnel changes announced in the past few days are an important step in the right direction, as long as Merritt Paulson is an owner with a financial stake in the club, he is still in a position of power and control. We continue to call for the sale of both teams and for the sale, divestment, or removal of interest/control from all professional, development, and youth soccer leagues by Peregrine Sports. We acknowledge that this will likely be a long and complex process.

Change takes time — and we are in this for the long haul.

Onward, Rose City.

#BAONPDX #RCTID #CutTheRotOut