Sports stats



NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Portland Thorns Announce General Manager Transition

October 9, 2024 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - RAJ Sports, the sports investment platform for the Bhathal Family, owners and operators of Portland Thorns FC, announced today that Karina LeBlanc will transition out of her role as Thorns General Manager following the conclusion of the 2024 NWSL season. LeBlanc, an NWSL Champion as both a player and general manager, will join RAJ Sports in a role across the Portland Thorns and Portland WNBA. The Portland Thorns will begin the search for a new General Manager immediately.

"We'd like to thank Karina for everything she has done for the Portland Thorns since she joined the club in 2021," said Lisa Bhathal Merage, Co-Executive Chair, RAJ Sports. "Karina provided stability for the Thorns during a very tumultuous time, contributed to a NWSL Championship in 2022, and has been an integral part of this club's work in the community. We believe now is a good time to make a change and set the club, and Karina, up for future success. Karina will remain with RAJ Sports in a role that will allow her to thrive and drive impact in our community as we build Portland into the global epicenter for women's sports. We will begin our search for a new General Manager immediately."

"I'm incredibly honored and empowered to represent RAJ Sports through the unique and passionate lens of Portland," said LeBlanc. "Having played here and now living and raising my daughter in Portland, I have firsthand experience of how deeply rooted this community is in the success of women's sports. I truly believe Portland can become the epicenter of women's sports, and I'm excited to be part of the team driving that vision forward."

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics

• Discuss this story on the National Women's Soccer League message board...

National Women's Soccer League Stories from October 9, 2024


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central