NWSL: Portland Thorns franchise acquired by RAJ Sports for a record $63m

US investment fund RAJ Sports, owned by the Bhathal family (parents Raj and Marta, and children Alex and Lisa), has acquired National Women's Soccer League franchise Portland Thorns FC from Peregrine Sports LLC, announced the two parties on 03/01/2024. The sale, approved by the NWSL board of directors, is worth $63m (€57.6m) according to the national press, a record for the North American women's football league.

"A key component of its new ownership is RAJ Sports' commitment to advancing plans for a new first-class, purpose-built, women's soccer-specific training facility," explained the franchise, which will be represented on the NWSL board by Lisa Bhathal Merage with her brother Alex Bhathal as her deputy.

In addition, RAJ Sports is committed to ensuring that the Portland Thorns continue to play their home games at Providence Park (Portland, Oregon), a venue to which the franchise has an occupancy lease until 2035.

The family also owns the Sacramento Kings (NBA), the Stockton Kings (NBA G League), the Sacramento RiverCats (North American minor league baseball) and the Kings Guard…