It’s hard to generate a strong consensus across the political spectrum these days, but Merritt Paulson seems to have done so in Oregon.
Paulson’s name came up during a debate on Wednesday night between Oregon’s three candidates for governor: Republican Christine Drazan, unaffiliated candidate Betsy Johnson and Democrat Tina Kotek.
The moderator asked all three a simple question: Should Paulson sell the Portland Thorns and Portland Timbers?
Each candidate produced an identical, one-word answer: yes.
Paulson has been under fire since the release of the Yates report, which showed among other things how the the Thorns organization actually helped Paul Riley obtain another job in the NWSL, despite having been fired after a Thorns investigation into sexual misconduct.
The fallout has already seen two senior executives fired and Paulson step down as CEO of both the Timbers and Thorns.
Though Paulson has hinted at a potential sale, he has stopped short of actually saying he will sell either team at this point.
Whichever candidate becomes the next governor of Oregon will be hoping to see Paulson cut both teams loose.
YATES REPORT:Investigation finds ‘systemic’ abuse of players, while NWSL, USSF stayed silent
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