The Portland Thorns wore tape on their jerseys to cover up the logo of a former sponsor embroiled in controversy

• Portland Thorns players taped over a logo on their warmups belonging to a controversial sponsor.
• It was a move similar to the storyline in a recent episode of "Ted Lasso."

In a move remiscent of a "Ted Lasso" episode, Portland Thorns players have resorted to taping over their warmup jerseys to hide the logo of a controversial former team sponsor.

From 2019 to 2020, wellness brand Social CBD sponsored the Oregon-based National Women's Soccer League club, and, as such, the team wore the company's logo across its warmup jerseys. But now, Social CBD is embroiled in several scandals, and Portland players have no choice but to cover up its former sponsor's name to avoid any affiliation.

"We've watched the news, too," Thorns superstar Christine Sinclair said after the team's match on October 13, per The Oregonian.

-Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) October 14, 2021

The brand has had a tumultuous stretch of late, complete with layoffs, links to a real estate scam, and lawsuits. Social CBD's former CEO, Nitin Khanna, has also been accused of rape.

The Thorns organization severed ties with Social CBD last year, a representative for the franchise told The Oregonian. But various logistical challenges - including a supply chain crisis sparked by the pandemic and contractual obligations to the brand that makes the shirts - have impeded the team's ability to get new warmups.

"They aren't our sponsor anymore," Sinclair said. "They shouldn't be on the front of our shirts."