News & Insights
November 11, 2025
Thorns fandom, lucky charms and family values: Suite Level with the Bhathals
If Portland Thorns owner Alex Bhathal isn’t spotted on game day striding around Providence Park in his signature red Moncler polo, black slacks, and custom black-and-red Jordans, start worrying.
October 15, 2025
Rocked by scandal, Portland Thorns find footing with new owners
A change in ownership in early 2024 meant that Merritt Paulson — who long caught the ire of fans — was out, and RAJ Sports, headed by the Bhathal family, was in.
March 10, 2025
The Bhathal family has found the perfect place to make women’s sports history in Portland
The Bhathal family has found the perfect place to make women’s sports history in Portland, where it is the first group to own teams in America’s two biggest women’s sports leagues
September 18, 2024
Portland, Oregon Awarded WNBA’s 15th Franchise via RAJ Sports
NEW YORK and PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 18, 2024 – The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced today that it has awarded Portland, Oregon, the league’s 15th franchise. The Portland team, set to begin play in the 2026 season, will be owned and operated by RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal.
February 6, 2024
Thorns FC introduces new ownership group to Portland community
PORTLAND, Ore. – A month after acquiring the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), new club owners RAJ Sports joined with top local leaders and community members at Providence Park to celebrate the beginning of the next era of the Thorns organization.
January 3, 2024
RAJ Sports Finalizes Acquisition of Portland Thorns FC
PORTLAND, Ore. (January 3, 2024) – RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, has formally assumed controlling ownership of Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League from Peregrine Sports LLC, the two groups announced today.
March 17, 2023
Aaron Rodgers-Backed Firm Hits It Big in Dog Food Investments
When Nate Raabe co-founded RX3 Growth Partners with NFL QB Aaron Rodgers and Roth Capital CEO Byron Roth, he didn’t foresee the firm investing in dog food.
April 3, 2023
NFL Stars Compete With Local Investors at RX3 Flag Football Fundraiser
Story originally published in the March 20 issue of Orange County Business Journal
A field of dreams for NFL fans broke out at Saddleback College on a recent Saturday.
Aaron Rodgers, the four-time MVP who is mulling a trade from the Green Bay Packers, tossed footballs to the Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens during a flag football tournament on March 11.
Aug 26, 2022
Kings announce purchase of River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats, who play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, have a new majority owner: The Sacramento Kings.
July 20, 2022
FaZe Clan, the boisterous gaming lifestyle brand, goes public
Esports and content creation collective FaZe Clan is now a publicly traded company, following a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company, or SPAC. The new company is listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker FAZE. The company opened at around $13 per share.
July 21, 2022
Shock research: Sacramento Kings among most loved NBA teams; fans top-10 happiest in U.S.
Esports and content creation collective FaZe Clan is now a publicly traded company, following a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company, or SPAC. The new company is listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker FAZE. The company opened at around $13 per share.
Jan 28, 2022
Startup LEX raises $15M to “take buildings public”
Firm lets owners sell shares of individual properties for as little as $250
Jan 16, 2022
Redevelopment of Sleep Train Arena likely to unfold this year
Plans to redevelop the former Sleep Train Arena in North Natomas could see the first stages of progress in the next six to nine months.
January 3, 2022
Compass Diversified Appoints Board Member
Compass Diversified announced that Alex Bhathal has been appointed to its Board of Directors. With Bhathal’s appointment, the Board will expand to nine directors.
December 3, 2021
Sports arena shakeup: Toll Brothers lose Oak View, land group with ties to the Sacramento Kings
A splashy sports arena proposal for the city-owned land currently home to Pechanga Arena in the Midway District has been edited following the exit of a big-name player.
April 26, 2021
Hydration startup raises $8.5 million
NEW YORK — Hydrant, a hydration-focused wellness brand, raised $8.5 million in a funding round led by Rx3 Growth Partners.
Feb 17, 2021
Kevin Durant, James Harden, Aaron Rodgers Among Investors In Therabody, Maker Of Theragun Massage Device
In 2007, Jason Wersland sustained a serious injury during a motorcycle accident. As the months passed, Wersland, a chiropractor, tried to alleviate the pain, but nothing seemed to work. And so, the following year, Wersland invented a handheld massage therapy device that helped relieve his muscles.
January 13, 2021
LEX Lands $6M For Real Estate Securities From Investors Including Ric Clark And DeAndre Hopkins
Real estate securities marketplace LEX has raised $6 million in additional seed funding, the company announced Wednesday.
Dec 16, 2020
TA Associates Completes Investment in Mid America Pet Food, Manufacturer of VICTOR®
BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–TA Associates, a leading global growth private equity firm headquartered in the U.S., today announced that it has completed an investment in leading pet food marketer and manufacturer, Mid America Pet Food, LLC, proud manufacturer of VICTOR® Super Premium Pet Food (“VICTOR”). Joining TA as an investor is Rx3 Growth Partners, a growth equity fund founded by Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. TA and Rx3 acquired their stakes in the company from Trinity Hunt Partners, a growth-oriented middle-market private equity firm that invested in Mid America Pet Food in 2014. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
October 1, 2020
Hims Inks $1.6 Billion Deal to Go Public Via Oaktree SPAC
Telemedicine upstart Hims Inc., best-known as an online seller of treatments for erectile dysfunction and hair loss, said Thursday it plans to go public through a merger with blank-check company Oaktree Acquisition Corp.
September 4, 2020
Refresh at the SCP Redmond Hotel Nabs Preservation Award
In 1927 the Redmond Hotel—a two-story wooden structure in the heart of its small namesake town in central Oregon—burned to the ground in a fire that also destroyed several nearby businesses.
July 7, 2020
The Best Breathable Face Masks Will Help You Stay Safe in the Heat
You’ve got to wear a mask outside. But it’s very very hot outside right now. Your mask is only making you hotter. So: Grab some lightweight, breathable face masks! Just make sure you have a handle on the trade-offs inherent to different mask fabrics first.
November 18, 2019
Bill Russell Gets HOF Ring in OC
Often lost in the local and national debate over who’s the best basketball player ever, an argument between current Laker LeBron James and Michael Jordan, one hoops legend with a more impressive résumé is often overlooked.
Sep 24, 2019
An NBA arena is opening an Amazon Go-style store where fans can grab beer and food in under 30 seconds — and never wait in line
That could soon change at one NBA arena, however, thanks to a new Amazon Go-style cashier-less store that will allow people to grab food and drinks without waiting in lines or checking out.
Sep 24, 2019
Sacramento, California’s booming downtown may double in size with Railyards project
It’s roughly eight times larger than New York’s Hudson Yards, this year’s big-ticket megadevelopment
April 16, 2019
Bhathals Swimming In New OZ Fund
Opportunity zones—economically challenged areas that stand to benefit from investment tax incentives created through President Trump’s 2017 tax reform bill—are this year’s hot topic in commercial real estate circles.
Jun 11, 2019
Aaron Rodgers Launches $50 Million Venture Capital Fund With Roth Capital
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been one of the most dominant players of his generation. He has a pair of NFL MVP Awards to go with his 2010 Super Bowl MVP. His career passing rating is the highest in the history of pro football. Green Bay rewarded Rodgers in August with a blockbuster four-year, $134 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid player in the sport. He earned $90 million over the last 12 months, including endorsements.
Jun 11, 2019
Explore the New California Cool in Sacramento
No longer sitting in the shadow of cool-kid cities like San Francisco and L.A., California’s capital is showing off some newfound swagger these days.
Dec 20, 2018
Pacers, Kings to play two preseason games in India; will be first NBA teams to play there
The Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings will be the first NBA teams to play in India, the league announced Thursday morning.
24 August 2018
Jamie Foxx, 50, parties with Snoop Dogg in Beverly Hills... after his love Katie Holmes, 39, shares brave makeup-free selfie
Jamie Foxx had some fun with his friend Snoop Dogg in Beverly Hills on Thursday evening.
December 19, 2017
New Sprouts and Petco stores coming to North Las Vegas
A new Sprouts Farmers Market grocery store and Petco pet supply retailer are expected to open in North Las Vegas around April.
Sep 01, 2017
This 50-Year-Old Company Just Gave Birth To A Startup Run By 12 Young Women
In the summer heat, swimsuits are an obvious choice. However all that outdoor activity has a downside: the fabrics used in swimwear are primarily synthetic materials –nylon, lycra, and polyesters, which fail to break down. It gets worse: manufacturing swimsuits produces waste — excess fabric that goes unused and trimmings to get the right shape.
June 25, 2015
HAYABUSA MUST GET CREATIVE IN REEBOK ERA
When Craig Clement heard that Reebok would soon be the exclusive apparel sponsor of the UFC, forcing all other brands and their logos off UFC broadcasts for the foreseeable future, he knew he had a potential problem.
June 26, 2015
O.C. women business leaders honored by journal
The Orange County Business Journal hosted an event Tuesday to honor women in business.
The 21st annual Women in Business Awards had 215 nominees and 800 attendees at the Hotel Irvine. The winners honored were: