Alex Bhathal (businessman)
Alex Bhathal | |
|---|---|
Alex Bhathal speaking at an event | |
| Born | |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles undergraduate USC Marshall School of Business post-graduate |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | RAJ Sports, co-owner of Sacramento Kings, owner of Portland Thorns and Portland Fire |
Alex Bhathal is an American business executive who invests in sports, real estate and commercial brands. His RAJ Capital investment business' RAJ Sports division co-owns the NBA's Sacramento Kings and owns the NWSL's Portland Thorns and the WNBA's Portland Fire, the latter set to begin play in 2026.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
Bhathal was born in Newport Beach, CA to RAJ Manufacturing (doing business as RAJ Swim) founder Raj Bhathal, and his wife Marta.[4][5] He attended the University of California, Los Angeles as an undergraduate, and USC Marshall School of Business for post-graduate studies.[4] He joined RAJ Manufacturing in 2000.[4]
Career
RAJ Capital
RAJ Capital is the Bhathal family business, founded in 2007 by Bhathal and his sister Lisa.[4] The firm focuses on investments in sports, real estate and consumer products.[4] The group includes RAJ Manufacturing, which was bought back from private equity.[4]
RAJ Sports
RAJ Capital consolidated its investments in several sports teams into RAJ Sports.[2] In January 2024, the group purchased the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League for $63 million.[1] Bhathal was announced as the alternate governor representing the team on the NWSL Board of Governors.[6] In September 2024, the group was awarded an expansion franchise for a Portland WNBA team, to begin play in 2026.[2] The franchise was later named the Portland Fire.[3] RAJ Sports also manages the family's stake in the NBA's Sacramento Kings.[1] In July 2025, RAJ Sports hosted the inaugural Epicenter Women's Global Sports Summit in Portland, Oregon, to position the city as a leader in the women's global sports movement.[7]
RAJ Manufacturing
In 2007, after assuming day-to-day responsibilities, he and his sister Lisa became co-presidents, and took over the company.[8] In 2015, Bhathal launched SwimSpot as the company's retail arm.[9]
Revitate
In 2021, the siblings launched Revitate, an extension of the RAJ Capital family business into an investment platform.[10] Revitate focuses on sports, real estate and commercial brands.[4][6] The platform is open to outside investors.[10] As of 2023, Revitate was working on multifamily and industrial developments in secondary cities like Indianapolis; Charleston, South Carolina; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.[4]
Revitate also operates the RevOZ platform, founded by Bhathal and his sister Lisa to invest in opportunity zones, projects with favorable tax terms for developments completed in low income areas.[11][12] An initial $125 million investment included apartment complexes in Sacramento, a healthcare center in San Bernardino, California, and an eco-friendly hotel in Redmond, Oregon.[11]
Other business activities
As of 2023, Bhathal was on the board of Mark IV Capital, a local commercial real estate investment platform.[4] He was also on the board of Compass Diversified, owner of 10 middle market businesses including 5.11 Tactical in Orange County.[4] He was also senior operating partner of San Juan Capistrano-based consumer growth fund RX3 Growth Partners, whose founders include NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers.[4]
Personal life
Bhathal lives with his wife and son in Newport Beach, California.[4] He is a Boston Marathon finisher and completed the Santa Cruz Ironman 70.3.[4]
References
- ^ a b c "Commentary: Why buying into Portland Thorns and the NWSL was 'a no-brainer' for one family". Los Angeles Times. January 23, 2024.
- ^ a b c "WNBA awards Portland expansion team that will start play in 2026". September 19, 2024 – via The Straits Times.
- ^ a b Peterson, Anne M. (July 15, 2025). "Expansion WNBA team brings back the original Portland Fire name". AP News.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Loyd, Rich (March 22, 2023). "Alex Bhathal: Building the Raj Empire".
- ^ "Raj Manufacturing LLC - Company Profile and News". Bloomberg.com.
- ^ a b Linehan, Meg (December 8, 2023). "Portland Thorns sale to Bhathal family nears completion; expected to close in early 2024" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Notte, Jason (August 6, 2025). "How Nike, the WNBA, and NWSL Pitched Women's Sports in Portland".
- ^ "Swimsuit Heirs Acquire Control of Raj Manufacturing". www.apparelnews.net.
- ^ "SwimSpot Gets Permanent Place in Raj Manufacturing's Roster". May 31, 2015.
- ^ a b "Bhathal Family Revamps Investment Platform". October 4, 2021.
- ^ a b Bertoni, Steven. "NBA Owner Makes Big Bet On Opportunity Zones As Biden Presidency Sparks Fresh Start For OZs". Forbes.
- ^ Loyd, Rich (November 14, 2023). "Revitate's ESG Returns".