NWSL players react as Merrit Paulson announces sale of Portland Thorns

Portland Thorns owner Merrit Paulson revealed he plans to sell the NWSL club, but maintain control of the Major League Soccer side Portland Timbers.

Paulson has owned the Thorns since its founding in 2012, and felt no need to relinquish control until the club stood at the center of the NWSL abuse scandal.

Subsequently, NWSL launched an independent investigation led by Sally Q. Yates into several league-wide allegations. The findings proved that Paulson hid the reasons of former head coach Paul Riley’s dismissal from the team in 2015, allowing him to continue working in the league despite several sexual harassment and coercion allegations.

Paul Riley’s misconduct, and the Thorns’ involvement in allowing him to continue working in the NWSL, made up a significant part of the findings of the U.S. Soccer-commissioned investigation.

Paulson originally stepped down as CEO of the Portland Thorns and Timbers when information from the investigation became public, and will now sell the club.

The shocking announcement gave way for divided social media reactions, with some players coming out in full support for Paulson and others calling out previous behavior. Portland Thorns captain Christine Sinclair and defender Emily Menges were the first to express their gratitude, taking to Twitter to thank the owner for his contributions.

“Merritt, thank you for taking the chance on women’s soccer 10 years ago that so few were willing to make,” Sinclair wrote. “With your leadership, Portland has shown what is possible when our game is invested in.”

But others pushed back.

“When you have someone in a position of power who has covered up the abuse of your teammates and you thank him for what he’s done for women’s soccer, it’s extremely disappointing,” wrote Angel City figure Sydney Leroux. “We ask people to support women’s soccer yet we can’t even support our own. Do better.”

Though Portland Thorns star Becky Sauerbrunn did not respond directly to Paulson’s actions, she voiced her support to victims of abuse in the NWSL. 

“Giving thanks, and sending strength and love to all the women who courageously came forward to share their experiences and demanded much-needed change in our league,” Sauerbrunn wrote.

Paulson did not specify a timeline for the sales process, though several parties have expressed interest in purchasing the majority stake in the Thorns.