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Updated: September 22, 2025

From ice rink to soccer pitch: Maine Mariners owner Dexter Paine adds to Portland sports holdings

Action shot of Hearts of Pine soccer game in Portland Photo / Jim Neuger Portland Hearts of Pine forward Evan Southern (No. 11, in green and blue) fights for the ball against three Chattanooga Red Wolves in a 1-1 tie at Fitzpatrick Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025.
By Renee Cordes

A year after acquiring the Maine Mariners hockey team, New York-based financier Dexter Paine and his family have bought a minority stake in the Portland Hearts of Pine during the soccer club's inaugural season.

The Hearts of Pine, founded in 2023 by Gabe Hoffman-Johnson with Jonathan and Catherine Culley, are among 14 teams in the USL League One. Hoffman-Johnson was honored on the Mainebiz 40 Under 40 list in 2024, while the Culleys were recognized as Business Leaders of the Year for their achievements at Redfern Properties. 

Out of 23 matches played so far, the Hearts of Pine are fifth in the league with nine wins, four losses and 10 draws. They won 1-0 Sunday night against Florida-based FC Naples at Portland's Fitzpatrick Stadium, before a record crowd of 5,862.

Kevin Schohl, president of the Hearts of Pine, told Mainebiz that Dexter and Susan Paine have been fans of the soccer team and season ticket holders from Day One.

Dexter Paine was raised in North Conway, N.H., and has lifelong ties to the Portland area. 

"We look forward to working closely with Hearts to benefit the fans and expand the team's impact on the community,” the couple said in a joint statement. “We are committed to making sure Portland's players and fans have the best possible sports experience for years to come."

Long-term game plan 

Kevin Schohl of Portland Hearts of Pine
File Photo / Soubanh Phanthay
Kevin Schohl

While Schohl declined to disclose the size of the Paine family's stake or the team's other owners, he said the new partnership puts the Hearts on a path to long-term success.

“We are positioning our club to win championships on the men's side, and to prepare for a USL promotion-relegation system that will require additional investment to compete with teams in cities that are much larger than ours,” Schohl said in an email over the weekend.

“We also hope to add a women's team in the future and to increase our involvement in youth soccer,” he added. “Dexter and Susan will help us as we grow and add new levels of complexity to our business beyond what it is today.”

More about Dexter Paine 

Dexter Paine is the past board chairman of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and a member of the International Ski Federation Council. He serves on the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee board of directors and played a key role in Salt Lake City's successful bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics.

He is also the co-founder and chairman of Paine Schwartz Partners, a private equity firm focused on sustainable food-chain investing. The firm has offices in New York City and San Mateo, Calif. 

For the Mariners, who play at Portland's Cross Insurance Arena, Paine is credited with helping drive record attendance and spearheading new community events and fan experiences.

The Maine Mariners are scheduled to host the Reading (Pa.) Royals on Sunday, Oct. 19, for their home opener in Portland.

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