Sports Merritt Paulson steps down as Timbers, Thorns CEO, but remains silent on selling clubs October 11, 2022 Lindsay Schnell, USA TODAY Comments Off on Merritt Paulson steps down as Timbers, Thorns CEO, but remains silent on selling clubs In the wake of a damning Sally Yates report, Merritt Paulson steps down as Portland Timbers, Thorns CEO. But he remains silent on if he'll sell clubs.