Boycott Timbers and Thorns until Merritt Paulson is gone

[Guest]

_Willamette Week_ is reporting on the possibility that Merritt Failson may try and sell the Thorns but not the Timbers, on the thought that it's mainly the fans of the women's team that are irreversibly pissed off, but the Army will eventually forgive him. Supposedly there is a local ownership group that is interested.

https://www.wweek.com/news/2022/11/2...ne-the-thorns/

Two obvious questions:
* Could the Thorns survive financially as an independent organization? Probably, but it might be tight (revenue from box office only, little in TV dollars) and no cost-sharing with the Timbers.
* Where would they play? The obvious answer is "Prov Park", as there's no other venue in town that would be remotely appropriate (Hillsboro Stadium is the next largest soccer-capable venue, at 7000 seats, which is half the Thorns' average attendance), but could they afford to, especially if MP/Peregrine stops caring about a team he no longer owns, and raises the rent? Or decides that some other prospective tenant or event(s) are more lucrative?

[Guest]

I think its less about where they will play, as they can work directly with the city. I think its all the other costs that they share right now with the timbers. Training facilities, training staff, ect. There is a ton of overhead and staff that right now works for both, but now they would have to hire all of those separately.

[Guest]

What would happen to the Thorns Academy?

[Guest]

_Willamette Week_ is reporting on the possibility that Merritt Failson may try and sell the Thorns but not the Timbers, on the thought that it's mainly the fans of the women's team that are irreversibly pissed off, but the Army will eventually forgive him. Supposedly there is a local ownership group that is interested.

https://www.wweek.com/news/2022/11/2...ne-the-thorns/

Two obvious questions:
* Could the Thorns survive financially as an independent organization? Probably, but it might be tight (revenue from box office only, little in TV dollars) and no cost-sharing with the Timbers.
* Where would they play? The obvious answer is "Prov Park", as there's no other venue in town that would be remotely appropriate (Hillsboro Stadium is the next largest soccer-capable venue, at 7000 seats, which is half the Thorns' average attendance), but could they afford to, especially if MP/Peregrine stops caring about a team he no longer owns, and raises the rent? Or decides that some other prospective tenant or event(s) are more lucrative?

Not sure the Thorns can survive without the Timbers.

[Guest]

Not sure the Thorns can survive without the Timbers.

Neither will survive if he stays. And his dad is a super creep who believes prayer cures disease. Maybe he can pray away all of these problems for his little boy? How’s that working so far?

[Guest]

Neither will survive if he stays. And his dad is a super creep who believes prayer cures disease. Maybe he can pray away all of these problems for his little boy? How’s that working so far?

So far very well. The Thorns playoff game was packed !

[Guest]

So far very well. The Thorns playoff game was packed !

And who cares….. the NWSL will fold. Unless they make womens soccer an International super-league. All of the teams will be dependent on their male clubs revenue. None of them stand on their own. Including FC Barcelona. Barca could only find their women’s club through a $4 million sponsorship.

[Guest]

Ok Rose City Riveters put up or shut up. This is the moment when you change from complaining victim to the solution. You will fail, it is easier to tear something down than build something.

[Guest]

Coach quits after her and player have feelings for each other? Let move the team to Sodom and Gomarrah.

[Guest]

What is going to happen to the Thorns Academy?

[Guest]

What is going to happen to the Thorns Academy?

At this point they should close shop on all women's sports. Its clear no one in that organization has any concept of how to treat women.

[Guest]

Coach quits after her and player have feelings for each other? Let move the team to Sodom and Gomarrah.

Inappropriate relationships are inappropriate relationships. Regardless of the gender or orientation of the people involved.

At this point they should close shop on all women's sports. Its clear no one in that organization has any concept of how to treat women.

Including, apparently, the women.

I should note that there are plenty of examples of sex-abuse scandals in sports where men and boys are the victims. Ohio State wrestling, numerous incidents in junior hockey, just to name a few.

Power corrupts, and persons in positions of authority seeking sexual favors from their underlings and charges is a problem in all manner of institutions, public and private, secular and religious, for-profit and charitible.

[Guest]

Don’t the players play a role in this too.

[Guest]

Here is the deal. The Thorns are gone if someone want to sink money into a money pit, probably not. The Timbers are not going anywhere. The organization has money and with the MLS structure doesn't have to sell a ton of tickets or advertising. Check out the MLS board and see who is on it.

[Guest]

Here is the deal. The Thorns are gone if someone want to sink money into a money pit, probably not. The Timbers are not going anywhere. The organization has money and with the MLS structure doesn't have to sell a ton of tickets or advertising. Check out the MLS board and see who is on it.

Damn shame that the guy with the money and vision has put himself in this position. Hope women's pro soccer finds its way thru this, and stays a viable entity.