Everyday there are Sports Business topics that present fantastic case study, discussion, research, and reflection opportunities. Today is no different.
HERE WE GO PORTLAND.
Sportico rolled it out. The Portland Thorns have sold for a reported $63M.
What will this mean to a city where the two football franchises, Timbers and Thorns, have been so linked by a Stadium, a Fan Base, and the word "AND". It has been the Timbers AND the Thorns. NOW, the Thorns have the challenge and the opportunity to create their own personality. For example - Portland had (has) the Timbers AND the Thorns. LA has LAFC, LA Galaxy and Angel City FC. None of the LA clubs have that "AND" relationship. Each has their own independent mission, strategy, and place in world.
The Sports Business Class assignment - - if you are taking over the Thorns, how do you evolve the positioning of the club locally, regionally, nationally and internationally?? What would would your gameplan be? Push the relationship like "ONE TEAM" style a la International clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Lyon, etc with a men's and women's side OR create distinction a la Angel City FC, Gotham, or Bay FC?
Where should the Thorns go from here?
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