What will Portland Timbers fans do with their jerseys after sponsorship fallout?

Joyce Ogirri
·2 min read

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Earlier this week, the Portland Timbers cut ties with one of their biggest sponsors, DaBella, following sexual harassment accusations surrounding the CEO.

The news came after the team’s first game of the season, and after releasing new jerseys that were purchased by fans.

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“They’ll probably be collector’s items at some point,” said Timbers fan Steve Rogers.

The organization told KOIN 6 that all DaBella signage around Providence Park, along with the logo on Timbers jerseys, will be removed or covered up before Saturday’s match.

Fans at Kingston Sports Bar and Grill, including Rogers, say they’re happy the team took quick action.

“The Timbers leadership managed it really well. They were really quick and decisive about it. So I’m looking forward to seeing who the next sponsor is,” Rogers said.

There’s no word yet on who will take the sponsor spot on the team’s jerseys.

“There’s gonna be that part of the fan base that’s kind of unforgiving and they’re gonna say you should have known this before,” said Timbers fan Rodger Klingsporn. “A lot of people were not happy with that company anyway, being on the uniform. But, you know, I think the majority of us are gonna be gonna be fine with it.”

Some fans have ideas on what to do with their jerseys to hide the DaBella logo — the team has not announced any official plans for the possibility of exchanging jerseys.

“I can find some material and just have something I can pin on there every match,” Klingsporn said.

Both Klingsporn and Rogers also said that they are excited for the season.

“We have a new coach. So far, so good. And I’m really excited. We’re supposed to sign a new designated player. So I look forward to that,” Rogers said.

“We can come here and (we) just like hanging out with my second family here with all the people I love,” Klingsporn added.

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