player Christine Sinclair on the roster. Role in the Paul Riley Abuse Scandal In September 2021, two former Portland Thorns players went public with their accusations of sexual coercion against former Thorns coach Paul Riley revealing that this abuse was the reason that Riley left the Thorns in 2015. In October 2022, a report commissioned by the United States Soccer Federation detailed Paulson's role in covering up the abuse and encouraging other teams in the league to hire Riley. In addition to publicly thanking Riley and wishing him well at the time of his departure from the club, Paulson congratulated the Western New York Flash on hiring Riley in an email to club's President, stating "congrats on the Riley hire. I have a lot of affection for him.” When contacted by NC Courage leadership about hiring Riley, Paulson downplayed the abuse of Portland Thorns players saying it "basically was [a case of] ‘poor judgment'" and described difficulty managing the roster as the reason for Riley's departure from Portland. On October 4, 2022, Paulson announced he, along with Gavin Wilkinson and team president Mike Golub, would step aside from all Thorns-related duties. Earlier that day, the Timbers Army and Rose City Riveters formally demanded the removal of Wilkinson and Golub and for Paulson to sell the teams due to the reports of abuse the club had allegedly covered up. On October 5, Wilkinson and Golub were fired. Paulson stepped down as CEO of the teams on October 11, 2022. Though he effectively still owns the club, his general counsel, Heather Davis, serves as CEO. Paulson announced he was selling the Thorns on December 1, 2022. Personal life Paulson is married to Heather Mahar, who was a contestant on CBS's television program The Amazing Race 3. The couple has two daughters. References Year of birth missing (living people) Living people Portland Timbers Harvard Business School alumni Major League Soccer executives Hamilton College (New York) alumni National Women's Soccer League executives Portland Thorns FC owners