Merritt Paulson Knew
Ask any survivor of sexual assault or harassment what “you knew” means and they will tell you a story about a time in their life when someone hurt them, someone touched them without permission, someone took away their agency and bodily autonomy. They will have a sad look in their eyes, and maybe stutter or stumble over their words a little, but it’s a phrase we all relate to. There was always someone who knew, someone who could’ve helped. For many in the Portland and national soccer community, Merritt Paulson is the one who knew, who could have helped, who should have helped. He knew, and he did nothing.
Merritt Paulson has the distinct privilege of owning two of the best soccer teams in the United States. It’s an inarguable fact that the atmosphere at Providence Park regardless of who is playing is electric; it’s unique. Regardless of the product on the field, fans show up. They have created a hallowed ground more often found internationally and for many fans the stadium became a home. While Merritt Paulson has removed himself from decision making, and as the CEO of both teams, his name, (or more accurately, his father’s name) may be the one on the paperwork the atmosphere, the energy, the symbiotic relationship between the supporters and the players is owned by the fans and despite Merritt’s best attempts to bottle that magic, he cannot.
It’s fairly standard for fans to have petty gripes with ownership groups. They never seem to be doing enough, never signing the right players, never spending enough money to compete. Those gripes exist within PTFC World, of course — we are fanatics, not rational people. However, Merritt’s sins have gone beyond petty gripes: he has been credibly accused of enabling systemic abuse, of creating a hostile work environment, and most recently in the October 3rd, 2022 investigation by former Attorney General Sally Q. Yates, we learned that “the Portland Thorns interfered with our access to relevant witnesses and raised specious legal arguments in an attempt to impede our use of relevant documents” (Yates Report, pg 3). Specious, if you’re wondering, is defined as “having a false look of truth or genuineness”.
To make a long story short, Merritt has been lying, hiding abuse, and thwarting efforts to make Portland’s professional soccer spaces safe for all, since at least 2015. There have been cries that everyone should be given the chance to learn and grow from their mistakes, a sentiment I feel deeply in my bones. No one should be judged for their worst days. However, when your worst days become the norm, you cannot be given the grace of learning while on the job. You need time away and real consequences. Merritt has been given countless opportunities to learn and grow, he has met those opportunities with the stubborn defiance of a toddler who has been told he cannot have chocolate cake for every meal. Consequences are hard to stomach, but ultimately they are required in a fair and safe society.
Supporters from around the country have led the charge in asking that sponsors push the Paulsons to sell. And to date, many sponsors have issued statements saying they are keeping an eye on how things evolve, or outright saying they will not be returning as sponsors, some, like Alaska Airlines, even offering up their quarterly investment in the Thorns and Timbers to the NWSL Emergency Player Support Fund. But some, like the stadium and jersey sponsor, Providence Health, has been horrifically silent. Their silence doesn’t just suggest that they want to protect their investments, but also reads to many as a silent endorsement of Merritt Paulson and his allegedly enabling ways. We need more from those sponsors.
I’m hardly the gatekeeper of Soccercity, USA, nor am I a member of the overly vocal minority. I’m a survivor who is tired of seeing men who hurt others thrive. I’m tired of sharing tears with others who can relate to the pain of seeing someone accused of enabling abuse own one of our few escapes. To quote Megan Rapinoe, “I don’t think Merritt Paulson is fit to be the owner in Portland…I don’t think Arnim [Whisler] is fit to be the owner in Chicago.” Merritt mustn’t simply step down as CEO, he and his father, need to sell and Portland needs Paulson free soccer.