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Say what you will about the results on the field, but the Portland Timbers again demonstrated that they get it from a business perspective.
Timbers president Merritt Paulson announced that the club will not raise season-ticket prices next season.
“This season has been frustrating for all of us and our decision to once again keep prices steady is in the best interest of our long-term relationship with our fans,” Paulson said.
With 14,750 seats sold as season tickets — renewals for 2013 must be completed by Oct. 27 — and some 7,500 on a season-ticket waiting list, the Timbers are clearly still enjoying the buzz that comes with being the newest show in town.
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The Timbers are expected to make another significant announcement Wednesday morning: That their next head coach has been hired.
The Oregonian’s Geoffrey C. Arnold has been reporting that the new coach will be Caleb Porter, the coach who guided Akron to the 2010 NCAA men’s national championship.
Whoever the new coach is won’t start until this season ends. But hiring their man before other jobs come open is smart.
Also, introducing the new coach in the same week that the renewal window opens for season ticket holders seems like a good call.
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If backup quarterback Bryan Bennett leaves the Oregon Ducks — as was widely speculated on Tuesday — Ducks’ fans should wish him well. Because he is making the best decision for Bryan Bennett.
In limited action last season, Bennett looked like a QB with a bright future. But he didn’t win the starting job this season. Running the scout team all week and holding up funny signs on the sideline during games is bound to lose its charm after a couple of years.
