Alaska Airlines is a founding partner of the team and has evolved into a ubiquitous part of the club over the yearsGetty Images
The Timbers will miss the MLS playoffs after losing yesterday 3-1 to Real Salt Lake, a match that “served as a 90-minute microcosm of the team’s shortcomings throughout 2022,” according to Ryan Clarke of the Portland OREGONIAN. The club entered the match after an “eventful, emotional week … that featured the firings of PTFC executives Gavin Wilkinson and Mike Golub following the release of the U.S. Soccer investigation detailing abuses and misconduct across the NWSL.” The season ended “on a sour note, clouded by off-field controversy” (Portland OREGONIAN, 10/9). The loss came after Alaska Airlines, the Timbers' "most visible sponsor," earlier in the day announced it is "redistributing sponsorship money this quarter from the Timbers to the NWSL Players’ Association 'Support the Players Emergency Trust' and youth sports in the Portland community." In Portland, Joe Freeman noted Alaska Airlines is a founding partner of the team and "has evolved into a ubiquitous part of the club, serving as the official jersey partner since the Timbers’ inaugural Major League Soccer season in 2011." However, following the misconduct associated with the Portland Thorns in Yates report, the airline was "forced to reevaluate its partnership to the Timbers" (Portland OREGONIAN, 10/9).
YOUTH ORGANIZTION CUTTING TIES: In Portland, Bill Oram reported the Timbers and Thorns for nearly a decade have "played a major role in youth soccer around Oregon" through its partnership with the Oregon Youth Soccer Association, but that relationship is "almost certainly about to be severed" following the Yates report. OYSO President Steve Baker said, “There’s no way in God’s green earth that this contract’s going to be renewed." He anticipates two resolutions "to be introduced at a Tuesday meeting of the OYSA’s 13-member board: one calling for a vote of no confidence and condemnation of the Timbers and Thorns; another calling for the OYSA lawyers to look into ending the relationship with the organization as soon as possible." The contract, which first began in 2014, runs through the 2023-24 season (Portland OREGONIAN, 10/9).
