The ownership group of the Portland Timbers and Thorns soccer clubs announced the dismissal of two high-ranking executives Wednesday in the aftermath of a bombshell investigation that uncovered systemic emotional abuse and sexual misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League.
A joint statement issued by the NWSL’s Thorns and MLS’s Timbers confirmed longtime president of soccer and general manager Gavin Wilkinson and president of business Mike Golub have been relieved of their duties with both clubs. The news comes on the heels of Thorns owner Merritt Paulson stepping down on Tuesday due to his reported role in the cover-up of accounts of sexual abuse and coercion involving former Thorns coach Paul Riley, who was fired by the North Carolina Courage in September 2021 in response to the allegations.
Golub had worked for the Timbers in an executive role since 2009 and for the Thorns since their inception in ’13. Wilkinson, who played and coached for the Timbers when the franchise competed in the USL, took over as GM when Portland moved to the MLS in ’11; he worked in the same role for the Timbers until late last year when he was placed on administrative leave and eventually replaced by current GM Karina LeBlanc as Riley’s previous misconduct became public.
