In what could be seen as a strategic play to bolster the organization's marketing prowess, the Portland Thorns have locked in Alexis Lee for the role of President of Business Operations. Lee, sporting an impressive resume that boasts marketing leadership for the likes of Detroit's Red Wings and Tigers, turns her sights on women's soccer. The move comes as the Thorns celebrate their ownership under the Bhathal family firm, RAJ Sports, who recently bought the team for $63 million.

"I am ecstatic to become part of Portland Thorns FC. Returning to my home in Portland and joining a cherished organization as the Portland Thorns, is a dream realized," told KOIN. She's taking on a team with a legacy of passionate fandom and a community expecting great things.

Previously, Lee sharpened her teeth in Portland, working nearly a decade with the Trail Blazers before steering the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. Under her direction, the museum underwent significant operational and financial overhaul. She aims to wrap the same innovative business model around the Thorns, rooting her strategy in inclusivity and perhaps shaking up the sports club world on a global scale.

"Alexis embodies our shared vision for the culture of the club, which will guide our future hiring practices," said Lisa Bhathal Marage, club co-owner, in a statement obtained by KGW. Having being fired previously, Lee replaces Mike Golub, the club's old president of business operations, amid turbulent times following a report on his involvement with abuse within the club.

The Thorns kick off their season in earnest against the Kansas City Current on March 16. With Lee's leadership, the organization seems ready to pitch Portland as the spearhead of women's sports, and Lee, an Oregon native, ready to lead this charge is the crux of the story. According to a press release shared by Portland Thorns FC's official website, she will helm all facets of the club’s business operations – from marketing to human resources, ringing in a new era of leadership for the Thorns.