Merritt Paulson sold a 15% stake in the Portland Timbers and Thorns organization in 2021 to a private equity firm, a move first reported by sports business media outlet Sportico in its annual valuation of MLS franchises.
Arctos, a firm invested in at least 18 professional sports teams globally including the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Golden State Warriors and others, purchased a 15% stake in the Timbers and Thorns, a club spokesperson confirmed to The Oregonian/OregonLive.
Kurt Badenhausen of Sportico noted it was the first time Paulson had sold a stake in the organization.
“The investment was at an enterprise value of $600 million with Arctos securing a more traditional minority discount on its piece,” Badenhausen wrote.
Arctos describes its mission as helping sports owners “increase liquidity and financial flexibility,” according to its website.
Paulson, 49, and his family purchased the Timbers in 2007 and paid $35 million to enter Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 2011. The Thorns joined the NWSL in 2013. The club known as PTFC — combining the Timbers and Thorns under one business umbrella — is valued at $685 million, according to Sportico.
This makes PTFC the eighth most valuable sports franchise in MLS, per Sportico’s rankings, trailing close behind seventh-place NYCFC ($690 million) and sixth-place D.C. United ($700 million).
LAFC is the most lucrative franchise in MLS with a valuation of $900 million. The Seattle Sounders are fourth at $725 million.
-- Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke
Ad Choices