The Portland Timbers have taken a decisive step away from their main shirt sponsor DaBella, following explosive allegations of inappropriate conduct leveled against the home improvement company's CEO, Donnie McMillan Jr. The soccer club severed the deal after becoming aware of a court filing that exposed accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct within DaBella's executive ranks.
According to a report by The Daily Mail, the Timbers' bold move was made public on Wednesday, stating that the separation was effective immediately. The termination came just a day after allegations made their way into the Timbers' view, despite what the team says was a comprehensive vetting process executed before the sponsorship deal was inked.
Fans are now left wondering about the future of the team's sponsorship as one fan, Rocky Serna expressed to KATU, holding out hope for another local company to fill the void.
The Oregonian reveals that the allegations against McMillan Jr. stem from a lawsuit pertaining to another matter entirely, but it shed light on claims from at least three female employees. Details of the lawsuit include a request for internal documents that might further validate these claims, yet DaBella's legal representation has dismissed the notion of such documents existing as "ludicrous," which was reported by Sports Business Journal.
Amid calls for increased scrutiny in partnership vetting, the 107 Independent Supporters Trust, the nonprofit behind the Timbers Army supporters group, looks for improvements in these processes, as noted by its representative, Sam Prince who told KATU, "It was clear that this was a decision that they made very quickly and very resolutely and that's a good sign, right? But if we start from step zero, then that's step one,” The trust, along with fans, awaits the announcement of a new sponsor, eyes peeled for an entity that aligns with the community's core values.
As for DaBella, they did not respond to requests for comment on the allegations or the termination of the sponsorship deal. Meanwhile, the Timbers' organization carries its sordid history with sexual misconduct, which includes the recent sale of the Portland Thorns by owner Merritt Paulson after investigations revealed a pattern of emotional abuse and sexual misconduct within women's soccer, per KATU's findings.
