Name/Title
Photograph: Joe Sprague - Portland Timbers SponsorshipDescription
Color photograph of executive AS/QX employee Joe Sprague wearing an Alaska Airlines Portland Timbers soccer (or football) jersey with axe. (The Portland Timbers heavily feature an axe and logging imagery as core symbols of their club identity.
Alaska Airlines served as the primary jersey sponsor for the Portland Timbers for 13 consecutive seasons, spanning from the club's inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) season in 2011 through the end of the 2023 season. When the partnership was first struck in September 2010, it marked a historic milestone as the very first airline kit sponsorship in MLS history. Despite ending the jersey branding, the company retained its ties to the region and continued to serve as the team’s official airline travel partner.
Beyond the logo placement on the kits, the partnership was highly regarded for community-focused integrations:
1) Youth Initiatives: Funded and co-sponsored the Portland Timbers Community Fund and served as the presenting sponsor for all official youth soccer camps.
2) Tickets for Kids: Distributed 25 complimentary home match tickets to underprivileged youth in the greater Portland area for every single home game.
3) Stand Together Week: Partnered heavily with the club's annual city-wide community service initiative alongside corporate employees.
Marketing, sponsorship, soccer, football, PDX, Portland, community involvement. leadership, executive teamPhotograph Details
Subject
portland timbers soccerSubject Person or Organization
Joe SpragueCollection
Alaska Airlines ArchivesCataloged By
Susan EwbankCreated By
Susan EwbankCreate Date
August 14, 2026Updated By
Susan EwbankUpdate Date
August 14, 2026