Karina LeBlanc, the general manager of the Portland Thorns, will step down at the conclusion of the NWSL season, as announced by the team. The former Canadian international goalkeeper will transition to a new position with RAJ Sports, the investment platform owned by the Bhathal family, which also owns the Thorns and the upcoming WNBA team set to debut in Portland in 2026.
LeBlanc has played a crucial role in providing stability for the Thorns during challenging times, contributing to their NWSL championship victory in 2022 and actively engaging with the community. The Bhathal family expressed their confidence in her decision to move to a new role that will allow her to focus on community impact as they work to establish Portland as a leading hub for women’s sports. A search for a new general manager will commence immediately.
Having previously helped the Thorns secure the NWSL title in 2013, LeBlanc’s experience in women’s soccer is extensive. She represented Canada in five World Cups and two Olympic Games before retiring in 2015 with 110 international caps. She joined the Thorns’ front office in 2021, drawn to the city where she has raised her daughter and where she sees a strong connection to women’s sports.
The Thorns’ roster includes notable Canadian players, such as current and former national team captains Jessie Fleming and Christine Sinclair, who is set to retire at the end of the season. The team is coached by Rob Gale, a former Canadian youth coach and Valour FC head coach, with Stephen Hart also part of the coaching staff.
The Bhathal family’s sports investments extend beyond soccer, including ownership stakes in the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, the NBA G-League’s Stockton Kings, and minor league baseball’s Sacramento RiverCats.