Pro Soccer team in Portland the latest sports bet for Alex Bhathal and family

ORANGE COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL

https://www.ocbj.com/entertainment-2/alex-bhathal-expands-investments-in-sports-real-estate/

By Peter J. Brennan 

Alex Bhathal has several highlights to point to since winning a Business Journal Excellence in Entrepreneurship award last March. 

His Newport Beach-based RAJ Sports, which he leads with his sister Lisa Bhathal Merage, bought control of the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League. The team was valued at around $65 million by a trade publication. 

"That's definitely a highlight," Alex Bhathal told the Business Journal. "We believe strongly in the growth potential of the league. It has a tremendous fan base and a history of success on and off the pitch." 

The acquisition represents the latest in a growing portfolio of sports team ownership positions held by the Bhathal family, including the NBA's Sacramento Kings, Sacramento RiverCats AAA baseball club, Stockton Kings NBA-G League club and Kings Guard NBA 2K e-sports team. 

Additionally, Lisa and Alex are co- founders and managing partners of Revitate, an investment firm specializing in sports, real estate, and consumer brands. Thus far, it man- ages about 10 different funds in real estate such as opportunity zones and workforce housing.