Merritt Paulson

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Merritt Paulson
Born
Henry Merritt Paulson III

1972/1973 (age 48–49)
EducationHamilton College (BA)
Harvard University (MBA)
Children2
Parent(s)

Henry Merritt Paulson III (born 1972/1973 (age 48–49)[1]) is an American businessman who is the majority owner of Peregrine Sports, LLC which owns the operating rights to the Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team, and the Portland Thorns FC, a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team, both based in Portland, Oregon.[2]

Early life and education[]

Paulson's father is Henry Paulson, a banker who served as the 74th United States Secretary of the Treasury, and was formerly chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs. His mother is Wendy (née Judge) Paulson. In 1995, Paulson graduated from Hamilton College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.[3] He later earned a Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.[4]

Career[]

Portland Beavers[]

Paulson (left) with Timbers GM Gavin Wilkinson in 2016

In anticipation of acquiring sports franchises, Paulson formed Shortstop, LLC, which was organized as a Delaware entity.[4] In May 2007 Paulson’s investment group, Shortstop, purchased the Portland Beavers and the Portland Timbers from California businessman Abe Alizadeh.[4] The purchase made Shortstop the Beavers' fourth owners since 2001.[5] Hank Paulson, Merritt Paulson’s father, was a minority partner in the company.[4] The Portland Beavers played the 2007–2010 seasons under the ownership and management of Paulson's Shortstop organization.

In 2010, Paulson sold the Portland Beavers, to focus on soccer. Paulson and his advisors moved ahead with plans to remodel PGE Park. The stadium was remodeled into a soccer-and-football only configuration for the MLS's 2011 expansion Portland Timbers. That meant that there was no longer a stadium facility in Portland for the Beavers to play on the AAA baseball level.

MLS Portland Timbers and Peregrine Sports LLC[]

Paulson established Peregrine Sports LLC. In 2009, the city of Portland and the Merritt Paulson-led Peregrine were awarded a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise for 2011, named the Portland Timbers. The Portland City Council approved a $31 million agreement to renovate PGE Park as a soccer- and football-specific stadium.[6] Naming rights were sold for the stadium. After cost overruns, the renovations totaling $40 million were complete. The former PGE Park became Jeld-Wen Field now known as Providence Park.

Paulson (right) with his daughter, and former Thorns FC player Allie Long in 2016

A new women's national soccer league was created for the 2013 season. Paulson was the only MLS team owner to decide to also support a women's team in their new league. That team was named the Portland Thorns FC, and featured US Women's National Soccer team players Tobin Heath, Meghan Klingenberg, Lindsey Horan, Adrianna Franch, and Canadian Women's National Soccer team player Christine Sinclair on the roster.

Personal life[]

Paulson is married to Heather Mahar Paulson, who was a contestant on CBS's television program The Amazing Race 3. The couple has two daughters.

References[]

  1. ^ "Forty Under 40: Class of 2011: Merritt Paulson". Sports Business Journal. 2011-03-21. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  2. ^ Schmidt, Brad (November 1, 2010). "PGE Park renovation will include healthy rent payments to Merritt Paulson for sports clinic". The Oregonian. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  3. ^ "Owner & President - Merritt Paulson". Portland Timbers. Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d Giegerich, Andy (May 22, 2007). "New Beavers, Timbers owner wants local ties". Portland Business Journal.
  5. ^ Murphy, Todd (March 18, 2008). "Merritt's system". Portland Tribune. Retrieved April 27, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ Mayer, James (February 3, 2010). "Portland City Council approves soccer deal for PGE Park". The Oregonian. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
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