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Matt Kelly's avatar

Largely in agreement. Soccer has been a huge boon to Portlands economy and reputation. When people bemoan the loss of baseball in PDX and tie it to the Timbers, I just shake my head. Merritt is a businessman. If baseball pencilled out, it would still be here. Probably in its own ballpark, separate from providence at this point. But the fact is…PDX was the largest metro area with triple A and it had the leagues WORST attendance. Minor league baseball is gone from Portland for one simple reason…no butts in the seats.

As for Portland State…it’s tricky. I wish they could position themselves better. I get that a stadium in Hillsboro does not help. But PSU usually filled about 20% of Providence on any given game day. The attendance would raise when they would play Montana or Montana State, but that was solely due to the heavy alumni base and rabid traveling support. Basically an opposing team takeover of the stadium. PSU not only lacks funding, it lacks connection to the city. Vikings? What is Vikings about Portland? Identity? Barnum is a fun interview, but PSU is a bottom dweller in a second tier league. Unfortunate. If I was an AD there I would work on a complete rebrand as a start. Figure out how to get the NIL funds for a top tier Big Sky football program second. And see if it’s salvageable. I hope it is! Would love to see good things for the university, student athletes, students, alumni, and city at large as a result.

My opinion. Hope not too harsh.

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