Portland Timbers look to keep pace in MLS with new kit sponsor
The Timbers aren't planning on waiting to spend their new money.
KENTON — Phil Neville looked subdued during the formalities.
It was 8:45 a.m. on a dreary December morning in North Portland, and the Portland manager sat in a chair in front of dozens of children inside the Peninsula Elementary School gymnasium as the official stuff was unveiled.
The Timbers had partnered with Bank of America as their new front-of-jersey kit sponsor, marking the first time the official sponsor of the 2026 World Cup has been featured on a professional sports jersey. Tillamook, featured on the front of Portland’s jerseys the last two seasons, will remain as a sleeve patch.
“We are entering an incredible moment for soccer in the U.S.,” said Roger Hinshaw, the Oregon and Southwest Washington Bank of America market president. “With the FIFA World Cup coming in 2026, the LA Olympics in 2028 and potentially the 2031 Women’s World Cup, soccer is surging in popularity in the U.S., and our very own Portland, Oregon, is one of the most vibrant soccer cities in the entire country.”
And while Neville would later say the partnership was a big day for the club, the third-year manager didn’t really come alive until the speakers were done and the soccer balls came out. Soon, the 48-year-old was dribbling around and nutmegging the children as the coach, along with player Trey Muse and team legend Diego Valeri, ran through a skills clinic.
It’s no surprise the manager perked up once things started moving on the pitch — well, gym floor — but that’s also a reason why Tuesday was such an important day for the club. In securing a multi-year partnership with Bank of America, Timbers CEO Heather Davis said the club took a necessary step to keep up in the growing MLS.
“I like to tell (general manager Ned Grabavoy): I make the money and he spends the money,” Davis said. “So, giving them a little bit more to spend.
“Look, the price of playing in MLS just keeps getting higher. The quality of play is incredible. As you’ve seen with some big names like Müller and Son coming in, these kinds of sponsorships are really the backbone of any sports team in any league — but especially in MLS right now.”
As part of the partnership, Bank of America is introducing its Soccer With Us campaign, which includes the development of 10 futsal courts across the city, free youth soccer camps, and $200,000 in equipment donated to local schools and groups.
“My focus as the head coach is all the time on the soccer field and the players, but I think this is a big moment for the club,” Neville said. “We’re being associated with a massive blue-chip company, and I think it represents what we are as a club. This club is more than just what goes on in the field. It’s a community club.”
And it’s a club, according to owner Merritt Paulson, that’s ready to start spending some of its new money.
“I can’t tell you how much it helps,” Paulson said. “If you want us to continue to go after big players, this is a monumental partnership for that. I’ve always felt like we have to spend to compete, and I think that’s becoming more and more the case. The product is getting better, and we’re entering an offseason window where we’re going to be making some moves — hopefully we’ve got two or three percolating that will happen in the next week or so. But we’ll be making moves regardless, and this is hugely beneficial.”
— Tyson Alger, The I-5 Corridor