The WNBA has officially announced that Portland will be home to its 15th franchise, set to begin play in the 2026 season. This marks a significant return for the league, as Portland previously had a team, the Fire, which operated from 2000 to 2002 before folding. The new franchise will be owned and managed by RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and her brother, Alex Bhathal, who also own the NWSL’s Portland Thorns. The Bhathals invested $125 million to secure the team and are committed to creating a strong platform for women’s sports in the region. The team will initially play at the Moda Center, home of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, although renovations planned for the arena may require a temporary relocation to Veterans Memorial Coliseum in the future.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed excitement about returning to Portland, highlighting the city’s strong support for women’s sports. The expansion comes as part of a broader growth strategy for the league, which aims to expand to 16 teams by 2028. With recent successes in attendance and engagement in women’s basketball, including hosting NCAA tournaments and a dedicated bar for women’s sports called The Sports Bra, Portland is seen as an ideal market for this new franchise. The announcement follows previous expansion plans that faced setbacks but ultimately culminated in this successful bid.
Historical Significance
Portland previously had a WNBA franchise called the Portland Fire, which played over 20 years ago, from 2000 to 2002. Their key players back then were Vanessa Nygaard, Sylvia Crawley (Tar Heels), and Jackie Stiles. This history adds an interesting layer to the recent expansion announcement.
The WNBA’s return to Portland marks a significant moment, as it’s the first time the league has re-entered a market it previously left. The Portland Fire was part of the league’s early expansion efforts but folded after just three seasons when the WNBA transitioned from central ownership to individual team ownership.
Despite the short-lived nature of the Fire, Portland’s strong support for women’s sports never waned. The city has since proven its commitment through the success of the Portland Thorns in the NWSL and the popularity of women’s college basketball in the area.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert acknowledged this history, stating, “I don’t think we ever have a bias as to whether there was a team there before or not, but certainly I think Portland has proven they’ll show up for women’s sports and definitely for women’s basketball, so we’re excited to be coming back to the market”.
Perspective
The return of the WNBA to Portland represents more than just a new franchise; it’s about the growing power and appeal of women’s basketball. For young athletes, who have witnessed the sport’s evolution from niche to mainstream, this expansion is a powerful affirmation of their dreams and aspirations. It symbolizes the increasing opportunities for women in professional sports, bridging the gap between generations of players like Cheryl Miller, Teresa Edwards, Katrina McClain, Cynthia Cooper, Dawn Staley, Libra Forde, who once had to seek opportunities overseas, to a future where young girls can aspire to play at the highest level in their own country’s backyard.