RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, has formally assumed controlling ownership of Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League from Peregrine Sports LLC, the two groups announced today.
Lisa Bhathal Merage will serve as controlling owner and NWSL Governor, while Alex Bhathal will serve as NWSL Alternate Governor.
“This is a milestone day for our family, and for the amazing Portland community,” says Lisa Bhathal Merage. “Everything we do centers on positive impact. As fans ourselves, and as seasoned sports and real estate operators, we believe in the future of Portland and the NWSL, and in the tremendous opportunity that surrounds this iconic team. I would like to thank Merritt Paulson for believing in our vision for this club and for all that he and the Thorns have done for the growth of the NWSL and women’s soccer in this country. We look forward to working with the Timbers throughout this transition and beyond to ensure the continued success of the Thorns at Providence Park.”
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.
“Our vision is to support new, widespread growth for the Thorns, the people of Portland, and for women’s sports as a whole,” Bhathal Merage states. “Specifically, we bring deep experience in professional sports and large-scale real estate developments that create thriving community centers, making us well-positioned to deliver valuable assets that will support further growth for the players, staff, and fans.”
This acquisition represents the latest in a growing portfolio of sports team ownership positions held by the Bhathal family, who include Lisa, Alex, and their parents Raj and Marta Bhathal. The family’s additional holdings include the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, Sacramento RiverCats AAA baseball club, Stockton Kings NBA-G League club, and Kings Guard NBA 2K e-sports team. Raj currently serves as Vice Chairman and Alternate Governor of the Kings, and Alex serves on the Kings Executive Board. Over the past decade, the Bhathals have played key roles in the growth and development of the Kings, including the development of the award-winning Golden 1 Center arena, the four-star Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, and the Sacramento Downtown Commons retail and entertainment district.
Additionally, Lisa and Alex are Co-Founders and Managing Partners of Revitate, a Newport Beach-based investment firm specializing in sports, real estate, and consumer brand investments.
Thorns FC will continue to play their games at Providence Park. The team is under a lease through 2035 at the downtown Portland stadium.
“I have immense pride in what the Portland Thorns have meant for not just the NWSL, but all of women’s sports,” said Peregrine Sports Owner Merritt Paulson. “They have been both aspirational and foundational, a cornerstone franchise of the NWSL that helped grow the league to the successful place it is in today.”
“For this next phase of growth and stability, I am delighted to transfer ownership of the Thorns to Lisa Bhathal Merage and her family, whose extensive experience in sports and business make them ideal owners,” Paulson continues. “Having female-led ownership and a commitment to construct the Thorns a dedicated training facility are tremendous positives. I remain committed to the Thorns’ success at their Providence Park home, and we are excited about making our operating partnership with the Bhathals smooth and successful for all involved, and most importantly, seamless for Thorns players, staff, and fans.”
Today’s announcement follows a formal vote last week by the NWSL Board of Governors to approve the sale. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“This is an exciting day for the NWSL and our continued growth as we welcome this exceptional new ownership group,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “Portland Thorns FC is an iconic club, supported by some of the best fans in sports, and I’m thrilled to welcome Lisa and Alex to the NWSL board.”
Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns FC have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women’s soccer since its inaugural 2013 season. One of the world’s most supported women’s soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for eight seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record last year with 25,218 fans supporting Thorns FC in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park.
Thorns FC have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018. The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.
The Thorns acquisition continues an “American Dream” story for the Bhathal family. Raj Bhathal came to America from India in 1960. Shortly thereafter, he met Marta, a former collegiate athlete at UCLA, and together they launched and built an industry-leading swimwear and beachwear firm. Lisa and Alex worked their way up in the organization from the factory floor to roles as co-CEOs, leading the company’s growth globally, technologically, and through strong brand partnerships with some of the most recognized names in the apparel industry. The resulting growth allowed the Bhathals to successfully exit the company in 2006. Lisa and Alex subsequently formed RAJ Capital as their first investment platform, and have further expanded and diversified their business and professional pursuits to include Revitate and other ventures.
Founder, RAJ Capital
Chief Impact Officer & Managing Partner, Revitate
Lisa Merage serves as Managing Partner and Chief Impact Officer of Revitate, a diversified investment platform supporting high-potential strategies in real estate, sports, and consumer brands built upon the legacy and success of the RAJ Capital family investment office.
Along with her family, Lisa is co-owner of Sacramento Basketball Holdings LLC which owns the Sacramento Kings (NBA), Golden 1 Center, the Downtown Commons entertainment district, and other subsidiaries including the Sacramento RiverCats (AAA Baseball), Stockton Kings (G-League) and Kings Guard (NBA2k).
RAJ Capital was established after successfully selling the family’s 50-year-old women’s swimwear business, RAJ Swim to private equity. Lisa was Co-CEO of RAJ Swim from 2006-2016. In 2009, she launched LUXE by Lisa Vogel, an upscale swimwear collection sold at luxury retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. LUXE by Lisa Vogel was honored as the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim Presents “Designer of the Year” in 2012. Lisa has appeared in numerous fashion and business television segments including appearances on CBS, E! Entertainment Television, NBC, and FOX. She has participated as a panelist for BUZZ: An Executive Women’s Think Tank, and recipient of the 2015 “Women in Business” Award from the Orange County Business Journal. She was the Keynote Speaker at the event in 2016.
With a philanthropic passion for both the arts and education, Lisa is the Vice Chair of the Board of the Orange County Museum of Art as well as involved with Segerstrom Center as an Angel of the Arts. She has served as a Trustee for both Sage Hill High School and St. Mary’s IB World School, and currently sits on the Board of JSerra Catholic High School. In 2015, she was awarded the “Altruist of the Year” Award from Modern Luxury magazine. Lisa was also Chair of the Board of Gen Next, a nonprofit aimed at education reform, economic growth, and national security.
Lisa is a graduate of USC’s Marshall School of Business and holds a certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania. She is married to husband Richard Merage and resides in Newport Beach with their five boys.
Founder, RAJ Capital
Executive Chairman & Managing Partner, Revitate
Executive Director, Sacramento Basketball Holdings
Alex Bhathal serves as Managing Partner and Founder of Revitate, where he leads the firm’s investment activities in opportunity zone development, workforce housing, sports-anchored real estate and is Senior Operating Partner of Rx3 Growth Partners, a consumer growth fund co-founded by NFL star Aaron Rodgers.
He is Co-owner and Executive Board Director of Sacramento Basketball Holdings which owns the Sacramento Kings (NBA), Golden 1 Center, the Downtown Commons entertainment district, and other subsidiaries including the Sacramento RiverCats (AAA Baseball), Stockton Kings (G-League) and Kings Guard (NBA2k). He has taken an active role is several critical areas including:
He is a nationally recognized leader in opportunity zone development and was named “Opportunity Zone Investor of the Year” by Globe St. in 2019 and received the Orange County Business Journal’s “Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award” in 2023.
Alex is a Board Director for Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI) and Mark IV Capital.
Alex is a longtime member of YPO and earned his B.A. from the University of California Los Angeles, M.B.A. from the University of Southern California and is completing the Presidents Program in Leadership at Harvard Business School.
PORTLAND, Ore. (Saturday, August 15, 2026) – The Portland Thorns continued their impressive home form with a 2-1 win over Orlando Pride on Saturday when forward Caiya Hanks — who was making her return to the pitch after missing action for over a year with an ACL injury — scored a stoppage time winner to secure three points for the home side.
Both sides battled back and forth as they tried to search for the opening goal, with Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold making three saves to ensure the match remained level going into the halftime break.
The Thorns came out into the second half much more threatening in Orlando’s half and finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when forward Pietra Tordin laid the ball off to forward Deyna Castellanos, who from the top right corner of Orlando’s box placed the ball perfectly into the top left corner of the goal over the hands of Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse.
The lead was short lived however when Arnold’s diving save to punch out a crossed ball in the 63rd minute ricocheted off the knees of Orlando forward Jacqueline Ovalle and rolled into the net to level things back up.
From there, Portland and Orlando continued in their fight to search for a second and despite several good looks at goal, the match remained level.
That would all change after Hanks — who subbed on in the 88th minute — curled the ball into the goal from outside the box in the 96th to send Providence Park into a frenzy as the Thorns secured three points and extended its home unbeaten streak to 12 matches, nine on the season.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns host Denver Summit FC for the first time at Providence Park on Saturday, August 22. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:45 pm PT on ION and 910 ESPN Portland. Purchase tickets for the match HERE.
TEAM NOTES
GOAL BREAKDOWN
First Half
N/A
Second Half
POR – Deyna Castellanos (Pietra Tordin) 58’
ORL – Jacqueline Ovalle 63’
POR – Caiya Hanks (M.A. Vignola) 90+6’
LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-2-3-1): Mackenzie Arnold (GK), M.A. Vignola, Jayden Perry, Isabella Obaze (Sam Hiatt 78’), Carolyn Calzada, Jessie Fleming-C, Nina Nijstad (Cassandra Bogere 85’), Pietra Tordin (Caiya Hanks 88’), Deyna Castellanos (Renee Lyles 78’), Marie Müller (Morgan Weaver 67’), Sophia Wilson
Subs not used: Morgan Messner (GK), Reyna Reyes, Shae Harvey, Mallie McKenzie
Orlando Pride (4-4-2): Anna Moorhouse (GK), Hailie Mace (Gabi Nunes 90+8’), Rafaelle (Zoe Matthews 89’), Cori Dyke, Oihane Hernández (Zara Chavoshi 76’), Solai Washington, Ally Lemos, Haley McCutcheon-C, Julie Doyle (Summer Yates 65’), Jacqueline Ovalle, Barbra Banda (Angelina 65’)
Subs not used: Cara Martin (GK), Cossette Morche, Luana, Nicole Payne
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR: N/A
ORL: Jacqueline Ovalle (Yellow) 40’, Julie Doyle (Yellow) 52’, Rafaelle (Yellow) 85’
MATCH STATS
POR | ORL
Goals: 2|1
Assists: 2|0
Possession: 51|49
Shots: 10|12
Shots on Target: 4|6
Saves: 5|2
Tackles: 16|16
Tackles Won: 9|11
Interceptions: 14|26
Fouls: 7|6
Offsides: 0|1
Corner Kicks: 0|6
ATTENDANCE: 19,106
Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistant Referee 1: Katarzyna Wasiak
Assistant Referee 2: Sarah Gaddes
4th Official: Justin St. Pierre
VAR: Danielle Chesky
Assistant VAR: Seun Yinka-Kehinde
RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, has formally assumed controlling ownership of Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League from Peregrine Sports LLC, the two groups announced today.
Lisa Bhathal Merage will serve as controlling owner and NWSL Governor, while Alex Bhathal will serve as NWSL Alternate Governor.
“This is a milestone day for our family, and for the amazing Portland community,” says Lisa Bhathal Merage. “Everything we do centers on positive impact. As fans ourselves, and as seasoned sports and real estate operators, we believe in the future of Portland and the NWSL, and in the tremendous opportunity that surrounds this iconic team. I would like to thank Merritt Paulson for believing in our vision for this club and for all that he and the Thorns have done for the growth of the NWSL and women’s soccer in this country. We look forward to working with the Timbers throughout this transition and beyond to ensure the continued success of the Thorns at Providence Park.”
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.
“Our vision is to support new, widespread growth for the Thorns, the people of Portland, and for women’s sports as a whole,” Bhathal Merage states. “Specifically, we bring deep experience in professional sports and large-scale real estate developments that create thriving community centers, making us well-positioned to deliver valuable assets that will support further growth for the players, staff, and fans.”
This acquisition represents the latest in a growing portfolio of sports team ownership positions held by the Bhathal family, who include Lisa, Alex, and their parents Raj and Marta Bhathal. The family’s additional holdings include the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, Sacramento RiverCats AAA baseball club, Stockton Kings NBA-G League club, and Kings Guard NBA 2K e-sports team. Raj currently serves as Vice Chairman and Alternate Governor of the Kings, and Alex serves on the Kings Executive Board. Over the past decade, the Bhathals have played key roles in the growth and development of the Kings, including the development of the award-winning Golden 1 Center arena, the four-star Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, and the Sacramento Downtown Commons retail and entertainment district.
Additionally, Lisa and Alex are Co-Founders and Managing Partners of Revitate, a Newport Beach-based investment firm specializing in sports, real estate, and consumer brand investments.
Thorns FC will continue to play their games at Providence Park. The team is under a lease through 2035 at the downtown Portland stadium.
“I have immense pride in what the Portland Thorns have meant for not just the NWSL, but all of women’s sports,” said Peregrine Sports Owner Merritt Paulson. “They have been both aspirational and foundational, a cornerstone franchise of the NWSL that helped grow the league to the successful place it is in today.”
“For this next phase of growth and stability, I am delighted to transfer ownership of the Thorns to Lisa Bhathal Merage and her family, whose extensive experience in sports and business make them ideal owners,” Paulson continues. “Having female-led ownership and a commitment to construct the Thorns a dedicated training facility are tremendous positives. I remain committed to the Thorns’ success at their Providence Park home, and we are excited about making our operating partnership with the Bhathals smooth and successful for all involved, and most importantly, seamless for Thorns players, staff, and fans.”
Today’s announcement follows a formal vote last week by the NWSL Board of Governors to approve the sale. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“This is an exciting day for the NWSL and our continued growth as we welcome this exceptional new ownership group,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “Portland Thorns FC is an iconic club, supported by some of the best fans in sports, and I’m thrilled to welcome Lisa and Alex to the NWSL board.”
Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns FC have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women’s soccer since its inaugural 2013 season. One of the world’s most supported women’s soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for eight seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record last year with 25,218 fans supporting Thorns FC in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park.
Thorns FC have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018. The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.
The Thorns acquisition continues an “American Dream” story for the Bhathal family. Raj Bhathal came to America from India in 1960. Shortly thereafter, he met Marta, a former collegiate athlete at UCLA, and together they launched and built an industry-leading swimwear and beachwear firm. Lisa and Alex worked their way up in the organization from the factory floor to roles as co-CEOs, leading the company’s growth globally, technologically, and through strong brand partnerships with some of the most recognized names in the apparel industry. The resulting growth allowed the Bhathals to successfully exit the company in 2006. Lisa and Alex subsequently formed RAJ Capital as their first investment platform, and have further expanded and diversified their business and professional pursuits to include Revitate and other ventures.
Founder, RAJ Capital
Chief Impact Officer & Managing Partner, Revitate
Lisa Merage serves as Managing Partner and Chief Impact Officer of Revitate, a diversified investment platform supporting high-potential strategies in real estate, sports, and consumer brands built upon the legacy and success of the RAJ Capital family investment office.
Along with her family, Lisa is co-owner of Sacramento Basketball Holdings LLC which owns the Sacramento Kings (NBA), Golden 1 Center, the Downtown Commons entertainment district, and other subsidiaries including the Sacramento RiverCats (AAA Baseball), Stockton Kings (G-League) and Kings Guard (NBA2k).
RAJ Capital was established after successfully selling the family’s 50-year-old women’s swimwear business, RAJ Swim to private equity. Lisa was Co-CEO of RAJ Swim from 2006-2016. In 2009, she launched LUXE by Lisa Vogel, an upscale swimwear collection sold at luxury retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. LUXE by Lisa Vogel was honored as the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim Presents “Designer of the Year” in 2012. Lisa has appeared in numerous fashion and business television segments including appearances on CBS, E! Entertainment Television, NBC, and FOX. She has participated as a panelist for BUZZ: An Executive Women’s Think Tank, and recipient of the 2015 “Women in Business” Award from the Orange County Business Journal. She was the Keynote Speaker at the event in 2016.
With a philanthropic passion for both the arts and education, Lisa is the Vice Chair of the Board of the Orange County Museum of Art as well as involved with Segerstrom Center as an Angel of the Arts. She has served as a Trustee for both Sage Hill High School and St. Mary’s IB World School, and currently sits on the Board of JSerra Catholic High School. In 2015, she was awarded the “Altruist of the Year” Award from Modern Luxury magazine. Lisa was also Chair of the Board of Gen Next, a nonprofit aimed at education reform, economic growth, and national security.
Lisa is a graduate of USC’s Marshall School of Business and holds a certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania. She is married to husband Richard Merage and resides in Newport Beach with their five boys.
Founder, RAJ Capital
Executive Chairman & Managing Partner, Revitate
Executive Director, Sacramento Basketball Holdings
Alex Bhathal serves as Managing Partner and Founder of Revitate, where he leads the firm’s investment activities in opportunity zone development, workforce housing, sports-anchored real estate and is Senior Operating Partner of Rx3 Growth Partners, a consumer growth fund co-founded by NFL star Aaron Rodgers.
He is Co-owner and Executive Board Director of Sacramento Basketball Holdings which owns the Sacramento Kings (NBA), Golden 1 Center, the Downtown Commons entertainment district, and other subsidiaries including the Sacramento RiverCats (AAA Baseball), Stockton Kings (G-League) and Kings Guard (NBA2k). He has taken an active role is several critical areas including:
He is a nationally recognized leader in opportunity zone development and was named “Opportunity Zone Investor of the Year” by Globe St. in 2019 and received the Orange County Business Journal’s “Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award” in 2023.
Alex is a Board Director for Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI) and Mark IV Capital.
Alex is a longtime member of YPO and earned his B.A. from the University of California Los Angeles, M.B.A. from the University of Southern California and is completing the Presidents Program in Leadership at Harvard Business School.
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