Businesses are "already tapping the Timbers juggernaut," as sponsorship revenue is up by 10% over last year, which "had set an MLS record for a first-year franchise," according to Andy Giegerich of the PORTLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL. The Timbers also expanded Jeld-Wen Field's capacity from 18,627 seats to more than 20,000. Each home game is "expected to sell out" and season tickets are "already gone." Team Owner Merritt Paulson said that the Timbers "hope to improve the quality of the in-stadium video wall and its accompanying audio." Fans in "some designated sections will be allowed to stand throughout the contests." Paulson "wouldn't rule out working with others to bring more sports to the city, although that offer doesn't include bringing back minor league baseball." Paulson: "I wouldn't rule out other sports opportunities, but I won't throw anything out there because I'm focused on the Timbers." Paulson noted that while his father Henry, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary, is a partner in the group that owns the Timbers, Paulson "must repay his father the tens of millions that the senior Paulson has invested." He said, "All of this is essentially a loan from him. It's not like it's a trust fund. It's definitely an interesting dynamic" (PORTLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/24 issue).
