As travelers, baggage handlers, flight attendants, pilots, and field crew busily hustled through the to and fro at Portland International Airport early this morning, they were greeted by the unmistakable sound of a chainsaw piercing through the din of jets taking off and landing. In front of an assembled crowd, Portland Timbers Owner and President Merritt Paulson stated, “For the record, this is the first time I think I’ve seen a chainsaw in PDX.”

Today, the illustrious Timber Joey and his chainsaw accompanied Paulson and a host of Alaska Airlines employees to announce the new partnership between the two organizations:  Alaska Airlines is to become the Major League Soccer (MLS) Portland Timbers’ official team airline and brand new jersey sponsor.

This is a big deal. Jersey sponsors can say a great deal about the character of a team and its place in its community. You want to find a partner that makes sense from a fan perspective, a business perspective, and a team perspective. Sure, it won’t make players run faster or kick with more accuracy, but getting a good partner on board brings a certain mark of authenticity and achievement.  It is one more step towards the arrival of MLS. As Alaska Airlines Vice President of Marketing Joe Sprague put it, “Alaska [Airlines] and the Portland Timbers are a lot alike. With strong roots in the Portland community spanning three decades, both organizations aim to be ambitious, innovative, and both organizations have very loyal fans and customers.“

Moreover, with over 2,000 Alaska Airlines and affiliate employees living in the Portland area, picking up a few thousand new fans isn’t bad either. Sprague continued, “We are proud to join the Timbers Army in cheering on our home team for their inaugural MLS season.”

While actual MLS Timbers uniforms and training gear with the Alaska Airlines logo won’t be unveiled until this coming December, it is also interesting to note that this is the first airline jersey sponsor in MLS history.

Granted, getting a chainsaw through the airport may be a bit of a challenge down the road, but it will be nice to have some new airline friends to help.

Written by Brian Costello
Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer

“Today’s announcement is a significant and defining moment for the MLS Timbers,” said Merritt Paulson, president of the Timbers. “Alaska Airlines as a jersey partner is a perfect marriage for us. Alaska has strong local roots, shares our unwavering commitment to outstanding customer service and offers unique promotional opportunities for our organization.”

As part of the sponsorship, the airline will support the new Portland Timbers Community Fund, partnering with the team on several youth-based fitness and educational initiatives. Additionally, the airline will donate 25 game-day tickets to underprivileged Portland-area youth at every home game as part of the Timbers “Tickets for Kids” program. Alaska Airlines also will be the presenting sponsor for all MLS Timbers youth soccer camps.
“With Portland roots going back more than three decades, Alaska Airlines is honored to be the MLS Timbers’ jersey sponsor,” said Alaska Airlines President Brad Tilden. “Supporting Portland’s hometown soccer team is the perfect fit for Alaska Airlines and the 2,300 Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air employees who call the greater Portland area home.”

With the announcement, Alaska Airlines becomes the first airline jersey sponsor in the 15-year history of MLS.

“Merritt Paulson and the entire Timbers staff have done a fantastic job elevating the profile of professional soccer in Portland and the Pacific Northwest, and this strategic alliance is one of many reasons why we believe the Timbers will be very successful when they debut in MLS next year,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “What makes this new partnership so special is the fact that Alaska Airlines has such a strong presence in Portland, helping to build excitement in a region already so rich in soccer tradition.”

MLS Timbers fans attending games at the newly renovated PGE Park also will see Alaska Airlines advertising throughout the stadium including new field-level animated digital signage.

The Timbers will unveil the team’s MLS uniforms and official training wear featuring the Alaska Airlines logo in December.
Together Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air offer more nonstop flights (serving 25 different destinations), more daily flights (88 a day) and more California service (38 flights daily to 13 California destinations) from Portland International Airport than any other carrier. Customers can learn more at www.alaskaair.com/PDX.

Note to media: High-resolution photographs of the announcement will be posted by 11 a.m. PST to Alaska Airlines’ newsroom image gallery at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom. 
About MLS Portland Timbers
On March 20, 2009, Major League Soccer (MLS) awarded Portland the league’s 18^th franchise to begin play in the top-flight professional soccer league starting in 2011. The Portland Timbers will mark their debut MLS season in 2011 in a significantly renovated PGE Park that will create one of the most exciting and authentic soccer environments in the country. New stadium amenities will include better sightlines closer to the action, new premium seating on the east side of the field, a new club lounge and a new entry plaza and team store. The Timbers have been a beloved part of the Portland sports landscape since their early beginnings in the North American Soccer League in 1975, launching the era of “Soccer City USA” in the Rose City.

About Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008, 2009 and 2010 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies^SM. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. MLS features many stars from the U.S., Canada, and around the world. MLS kicked off its 15th season on March 25, 2010. MLS features 16 clubs each playing 30 regular season matches in 2010. Those teams include Chicago Fire; Colorado Rapids; Chivas USA; Columbus Crew; D.C. United; FC Dallas; Houston Dynamo; Kansas City Wizards; Los Angeles Galaxy; New York Red Bulls; New England Revolution; 2009 MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake; San Jose Earthquakes; Seattle Sounders FC; Toronto FC; and, in their inaugural season, Philadelphia Union. Expansion teams in Portland and Vancouver will debut in 2011 and in Montreal in 2012. For more information about MLS, log on to the League’s official website at www.MLSsoccer.com.

PORTLAND, Ore./NEW YORK (Monday, August 30, 2010) – adidas and Major League Soccer today announced an extension to their strategic partnership agreement aimed at further elevating soccer in the United States and developing opportunities for young players. The partnership extends adidas’ position as the official athletic sponsor and product supplier for the MLS through 2018.

Core to the new agreement is a dedicated focus on youth development and programming to help shape the future of the sport in North America. 

“The United States is a breeding ground for athletic talent and we need to ensure our homegrown athletes have viable opportunities to play soccer at the highest level,” said Patrik Nilsson, president, adidas America. “We need to accelerate the model for soccer development in North America to attract and keep elite talent engaged and excited about professional opportunities in the sport. We share a long-term vision with MLS to develop the game and are excited to foster the next generation of American soccer stars.”

adidas has been a partner of MLS since the league’s inception in 1996. In 2004, adidas and MLS announced an exclusive partnership agreement that named adidas the official athletic sponsor and product supplier, outfitting all league teams and supplying the league’s official match ball.

“One of the major reasons Major League Soccer has become one of the top soccer leagues in the world is due to the support and commitment of adidas,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “They have a clear vision for the sport in North America, and they see MLS as a cornerstone of that vision. Our extension with adidas is a major statement by an internationally respected brand that MLS is increasing in value and that our commitments to stadium construction, strategic expansion, player development and improvement in the overall quality of play are playing dividends.”

adidas is the global leader in soccer and partners with many of the world’s greatest soccer clubs and federations including Chelsea FC, Liverpool FC, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Germany and Japan. adidas is an official partner of FIFA, UEFA and the Confederations of African Football. adidas also sponsors world-class athletes like Juan Pablo Angel, Jozy Altidore, Fredy Montero, Lionel Messi, Kaka, Steven Gerrard, Michael Ballack, Xavi, Frank Lampard and Andres Guardado, among others.

About adidas
adidas is a global designer, developer and marketer of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories with the mission to be the leading sports brand in the world. Brand adidas is part of the adidas Group, a corporation that includes brands such as Reebok, TaylorMade and Rockport.

About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. MLS features many stars from the U.S., Canada, and around the world. MLS kicked off its 15th season on March 25, 2010. MLS features 16 clubs each playing 30 regular season matches in 2010. Those teams include Chicago Fire; Colorado Rapids; Chivas USA; Columbus Crew; D.C. United; FC Dallas; Houston Dynamo; Kansas City Wizards; Los Angeles Galaxy; New York Red Bulls; New England Revolution; 2009 MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake; San Jose Earthquakes; Seattle Sounders FC; Toronto FC; and, in their inaugural season, Philadelphia Union. Expansion teams in Vancouver and Portland will debut in 2011 and in Montreal in 2012. For more information about MLS, log on to the League’s official Web site at www.MLSsoccer.com.

The Timbers and Whitecaps selected priority among eight player-acquisition mechanisms as the two clubs prepare for their inaugural MLS season in 2011. Technical director Gavin Wilkinson represented the Timbers in the selection process.

In addition to the first pick in the Expansion Draft, Portland will have the second selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft as well as priority over Vancouver in designated player ranking, discovery ranking and lottery ranking.

“Today is a significant milestone for the organization and sets up how we approach the development of our MLS roster,” said Wilkinson. “The results of today’s draft help reinforce the direction of the organization and allow us to go one step further in identifying and researching players of interest.”

The Whitecaps have the first pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, and subsequently have priority in allocation ranking, USL player ranking and waiver/re-entry draft ranking. 

Expansion Priority Draft Results

1. MLS SuperDraft

• Vancouver will have the 1st selection in each round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, including the 1st overall selection. Portland will have the 2nd overall selection and the 2nd selection in each following round.
• The selection order for the remaining teams is determined by reverse order of regular season finish in 2010. The SuperDraft consists of four rounds as clubs select from a list of eligible players such as college seniors and Generation adidas signings. The SuperDraft will be held in January in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention in Baltimore.

2. Expansion Draft

• Portland will select 1st, Vancouver will select 2nd.
• The two expansion clubs will select a total of 10 current players each to be added to their rosters, alternating after each player selection. MLS clubs may protect 11 players from their roster who, along with Generation adidas players that will not graduate after the 2010 season, and Home Grown players, will be ineligible for selection by the two expansion clubs. This draft will be held after MLS Cup and before the SuperDraft in January at a date to be announced later.

3. USSF Division-2 Pro League Player Priority Ranking

• Vancouver will occupy the 1st spot in the USSF Division-2 Pro Rankings, while Portland will rank 2nd.
• Vancouver and Portland will have priority over players on their current roster and one other USSF Division-2 Pro League player, subject to another MLS club’s right of first refusal. Should both clubs request the same player on the opening day, Vancouver will have the first right to add the player to its roster.

4. Designated Player Ranking

• Portland will occupy the 1st spot in the Designated Player Ranking, Vancouver will occupy the 2nd spot, followed by the remaining MLS clubs, in reverse order of finish in the 2010 season, taking into account playoff performance.
• In the event that a player is requested by more than one team in the same day, the Designated Player Ranking will be used to determine which team has priority.

5. Allocation Ranking

• Vancouver will occupy the 1st spot in the Allocation Rankings, while Portland will rank 2nd, followed by the remaining MLS clubs, in reverse order of finish in the 2010 season, taking into account playoff performance.
• Allocations are used in the event that tow or more teams file a request for the same player on the same day (i.e. in the case of returning U.S. National team players and/or any other player the league is its discretion believes should be allovated using the rankings.)

6. Discovery Ranking

• Portland will occupy the 17th place in the rankings prior to the season while Vancouver will occupy the 18th.
• The Discovery Ranking is determined by average points per game during the then current League season with the team with the lower points per game average earning priority over the team with higher points per game average.

7. Waiver/Re-entry Draft Ranking

• Vancouver will occupy the 17th spot in the rankings while Portland will occupy the 18th spot.
• The Waiver Draft Ranking is determined by points per game once all teams have played at least three games in the current season. If the waiver takes place prior to all teams playing in at least three League games, priority will be granted based upon the prior year’s performance – reverse order of finish in the 2010 season, taking into account playoff performance. The Waiver Draft is used to acquire players that have been waived by an MLS team during the season; a player who completed his college eligibility and was not made available in the SuperDraft; a player who has remaining college eligibility, was not made available in the SuperDraft, but has been offered an MLS contract; or a player who played in MLS previously where his last MLS team does not wish to exercise their right of first refusal.
• Further details about the Re-entry Draft will be released at a later date.

8. Lottery Ranking

• Portland will occupy the 17th spot in the Lottery Rankings while Vancouver will occupy the 18th spot.
• The Lottery Ranking is based on the MLS point system such that the team with the least number of points receives the greatest chance of attaining the player. Expansion teams are placed at the bottom of the order. The Lottery Ranking will be used for SuperDraft eligible players who MLS attempted to sign prior to or after the SuperDraft.

About MLS Portland Timbers
On March 20, 2009, Major League Soccer (MLS) awarded Portland the league’s 18^th franchise to begin play in the top-flight professional soccer league starting in 2011. The Portland Timbers will mark their debut MLS season in 2011 in a significantly renovated PGE Park that will create one of the most exciting and authentic soccer environments in the country. New stadium amenities will include better sightlines closer to the action, new premium seating on the east side of the field, a new club lounge and a new entry plaza and team store. The Timbers have been a beloved part of the Portland sports landscape since their early beginnings in the North American Soccer League in 1975, launching the era of “Soccer City USA” in the Rose City.

The two 2011 MLS expansion franchises will select priority among the eight player-acquisition mechanisms. In addition to determining which team has the first pick in the 2011 Expansion Draft or the 2011 SuperDraft, the Timbers and Whitecaps will also alternate choices through the remaining mechanisms – USL player priority, allocation ranking, designated player ranking, discovery ranking, lottery ranking and waiver/re-entry draft ranking.

Timbers technical director Gavin Wilkinson will be joined by MLS Executive Vice President Todd Durbin and Whitecaps representative Greg Anderson during the Expansion Priority Draft process.

In particular, what’s next for Major League Soccer, the country’s domestic league now in its 15th season. Interest in the sport is at an all-time high after a series of thrilling performances by the U.S. at the World Cup. Click here to read more.

Spencer, 39, was introduced formally at a news conference Wednesday morning in Portland. Click here to watch the press conference.

Spencer, 39, will be introduced officially at a news conference Wednesday morning in Portland.

Following an 18-year playing career, Spencer joined Houston in 2006 and served as an assistant under head coach Dominic Kinnear for nearly five seasons. He helped lead the Dynamo to back-to-back MLS Cup championships in 2006 and 2007 and four consecutive playoff appearances, including a run to the Western Conference finals in 2009. From 2006-08, Spencer also coached the Dynamo Reserves, guiding Houston’s reserve squad to the 2008 MLS Reserve Division championship.

Prior to beginning his MLS coaching career, Spencer played professional soccer for such noted English clubs as Chelsea, Everton and Queens Park Rangers, and Scotland’s Glasgow Rangers. In MLS, Spencer starred for the Colorado Rapids from 2001-04, becoming the only player to be the team’s MVP and scoring leader in the same season more than once.

Spencer, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, began his professional playing career in 1987 at the age of 17 with Glasgow Rangers. As a striker, he played for several top-flight clubs over 14 seasons in Scotland and England, most notably amassing 43 goals over four seasons with English-power Chelsea.

In 2001, Spencer joined MLS with the Colorado Rapids, where he played until he finished his career in 2004. During his time with Colorado, he played in 88 games, and his 37 goals ranks among franchise career leaders. Spencer twice led the Rapids in goals scored, set the club’s single-season mark for goals (14) and career mark for assists (17), was a two-time MLS Best XI selection (2001, 2003) and was a finalist for the league’s MVP award in 2003. During the 2003 season, Spencer scored in six straight games, one away from tying an MLS record.

The two-time MLS All-Star (2001, 2003) captained the Rapids to three straight playoff appearances from 2002-04. Spencer was inducted in to the Rapids Gallery of Honor on Aug. 30, 2009.

During his playing career, Spencer also earned 14 caps with the Scotland National Team from 1994-97. He earned his first cap in front of a home crowd against Russia in 1994, and his international career was also highlighted by the 1996 European Championship in England.

Spencer also played for Lai Sun of Hong Kong while on loan in the late 1980s, scoring 20 goals in 24 games.

John and his wife, Amanda, have three children, Brad, Chantelle and Dylan. John and his family are in the process of relocating to Portland.

About MLS Portland Timbers
On March 20, 2009, Major League Soccer (MLS) awarded Portland the league’s 18^th franchise to begin play in the top-flight professional soccer league starting in 2011. The Portland Timbers will mark their debut MLS season in 2011 in a significantly renovated PGE Park that will create one of the most exciting and authentic soccer environments in the country. New stadium amenities will include better sightlines closer to the action, new premium seating on the east side of the field, a new club lounge and a new entry plaza and team store. The Timbers have been a beloved part of the Portland sports landscape since their early beginnings in the North American Soccer League in 1975, launching the era of “Soccer City USA” in the Rose City.

About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. MLS features many stars from the U.S., Canada, and around the world. MLS kicked off its 15th season on March 25, 2010. MLS features 16 clubs each playing 30 regular season matches in 2010. Those teams include Chicago Fire; Colorado Rapids; Chivas USA; Columbus Crew; D.C. United; FC Dallas; Houston Dynamo; Kansas City Wizards; Los Angeles Galaxy; New York Red Bulls; New England Revolution; 2009 MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake; San Jose Earthquakes; Seattle Sounders FC; Toronto FC; and, in their inaugural season, Philadelphia Union.  Expansion teams in Vancouver and Portland will debut in 2011 and in Montreal in 2012. For more information about MLS, log on to the League’s official website at www.MLSsoccer.com.

Sideline season ticket Sections 117, 118 and 119; new Club Seat location C3; Sections SD2, SD5 and SD6 on the new South Deck; the Value Terrace on the west side of the stadium; Goal Box Section 115 and corner Section 110 are officially sold out and no longer available for season ticket purchase for the team’s inaugural MLS season. Additionally, Section 94 in the new premium east-side seating area is on the verge of selling out, with just a handful of seats remaining.

And with eight months remaining before the Timbers mark their on-field MLS debut, 20 of the 23 pavilion suites at PGE Park have been sold on a multi-year basis. The team anticipates selling out of suites for the 2011-13 MLS seasons by the fall.

Remaining season tickets for the Timbers’ inaugural MLS season start at $15 per game and are available now for purchase by contacting a Timbers ticket representative at (503) 553-5555. For information on how to secure one of the few remaining suites for the MLS Timbers, contact Ryan Brach at (503) 553-5432.

The Timbers will cap the number of season tickets sold for their inaugural MLS season.

A virtual venue feature at www.PortlandMLS2011.com offers fans the ability to simultaneously compare 360-degree views from various seating sections and the opportunity to explore the exciting changes that will take place at PGE Park for the 2011 MLS season.

In addition to tickets for all regular-season MLS matches in 2011, Timbers’ MLS season ticket holders will receive:
- Five (5) additional matches per season as part of the season ticket package
- Exclusive season ticket-holder gift
- Annual season ticket-holder appreciation event
- 10-percent discount at the Timbers Team Store – Five (5) buy-one, get-one half-off coupons good for additional tickets to regular-season matches
- Special access to exclusive Timbers events

Also, the Timbers have introduced a new program to reward fans who invest in season tickets before Dec. 31, 2010. Known as “The Axe Society,” this new program offers all founding season ticket holders several additional lifetime benefits at no extra cost, including special name-recognition on a commemorative display at the stadium, additional annual discounts at the Timbers Team Store, exclusive promotions and events for Axe Society members and a commemorative, inaugural-season gift. Detailed information on Timbers season tickets for the 2011 season is available at www.PortlandMLS2011.com.

About MLS Portland Timbers
On March 20, 2009, Major League Soccer (MLS) awarded Portland the league’s 18th franchise to begin play in the top-flight professional soccer league starting in 2011. The Portland Timbers will mark their debut MLS season in 2011 in a significantly renovated PGE Park that will create one of the most exciting and authentic soccer environments in the country. New stadium amenities will include better sightlines closer to the action, new premium seating on the east side of the field, a new club lounge and a new entry plaza and team store. The Timbers have been a beloved part of the Portland sports landscape since their early beginnings in the North American Soccer League in 1975, launching the era of “Soccer City USA” in the Rose City.