Finally… women’s basketball is coming back to the City of Roses!
In the decades since the Portland Fire played their final game in 2002, this city has become a hub for women’s sports in America.
The Thorns consistently break attendance records, Oregon and Oregon State have made Final Four runs, and the world's first women's sports bar opened its doors here. Portland doesn't just support women's sports — it actively celebrates them!
On September 18, 2024, the WNBA ended years of anticipation and questions and officially announced Portland as its 15th franchise. The team is set to tip off in 2026, restoring Portland to its rightful place in the world of women’s basketball.
Whether you’re a diehard women’s basketball fan or an all-around Portland sports enthusiast, this guide has everything you need to know about Portland and the WNBA. We’ll cover the history, the revival, what to expect before the 2026 season, and how you can be a part of the action.
Ready to join the movement? Let's dive in.
The Portland WNBA Story: Past, Present, and Future
Many fans already know that Portland isn’t actually new to the WNBA. But how much do you really know about the history of women’s basketball in Portland?
Let’s kick things off with a brief timeline of Portland WNBA history and catch you up to the present.
- Portland Power (1996-1998): Before the WNBA took center stage, the American Basketball League (ABL) brought pro women's basketball to Portland. The Portland Power played for three seasons and built a loyal fan base. The team was coached by Lin Dunn, who, fun fact, would later make WNBA history by drafting Caitlin Clark first overall for the Indiana Fever in 2024.
- Portland Fire (2000-2002): When the WNBA expanded in 2000, Portland was chosen as one of the new cities. The Portland Fire played their home games at the Rose Garden (now Moda Center). Despite lasting just three seasons, the Fire made their mark. Their biggest star was Jackie Stiles, the NCAA's all-time leading scorer at the time. Stiles won the 2001 WNBA Rookie of the Year award while playing for Portland. The Fire didn’t leave Oregon due to lack of interest — games had stronger attendance than many other WNBA teams. But when Paul Allen's Oregon Arena Corporation declined to continue operating the team, the WNBA couldn't find a new owner in time.
- The 2023 “Almost” Return: Portland almost got its WNBA team back in 2023 when businessman Kirk Brown put together a bid. Sadly, the bid fell apart due to disagreements about team branding and other details.
Recent WNBA Growth
The WNBA has been growing in popularity in recent years, and the league has been careful and strategic with its expansion plans. The league announced that Golden State would get a team in 2025, followed by Portland and Toronto in 2026.
Portland’s successful bid came through an unexpected channel — the ownership of the Portland Thorns soccer team. The Bhathal family, who owns the Thorns, saw a chance to grow women's sports in Portland even further.
The $125 million expansion fee they paid set a record, fetching nearly 50 times more than the original WNBA franchise fees. If that’s not a strong indication of the growing popularity of women’s sports, we don’t know what is!
The team's new owners, RAJ Sports and the Bhathal family, bring deep experience in sports and business to Portland's newest pro team. They've built a reputation for supporting women's sports and bringing business expertise to their teams. The Bhathals also hold a minority stake in the NBA's Sacramento Kings, giving them valuable experience in pro basketball operations.
The team will be led by Lisa Bhathal Merage as Controlling Owner and Governor. Her brother, Alex Bhathal, will serve as Alternate Governor. This leadership team has expressed a deep commitment to building a winning culture and connecting with Portland's passionate fan base.
The Bhathals have promised to bring the same successful approach they've used with the Thorns, where they've created one of the most popular women's sports teams in America.
We can’t wait to see the excitement this partnership is able to drum up for the return of Portland to the WNBA!
Portland WNBA: Team Details
Details are still emerging when it comes to Portland’s new WNBA franchise, but let’s cover everything we know so far!
Team Name and Branding
Many fans hope the new team will bring back the "Fire" name from Portland's first WNBA team. However, trademark issues could make this tricky. The team owners are weighing several options that connect to Portland's culture and history.
The team colors and logo are still in development. Will they match Portland's red and black sports tradition? Or will they create something completely new? Either way, the goal is to create a strong visual identity that stands out in the WNBA.
We should hear the official team name and branding later this Spring. This will give fans about a year to rally around the new identity before the first tip-off in 2026.
The ownership group has promised that fans will have a voice in building the team's identity. Look for surveys, social media polls, and community events where you can share your ideas for the new team.
Home Court and Facilities
The good news is that Portland's WNBA team will play in world-class facilities from day one! The main home court will be the Moda Center, the same arena where the Trail Blazers play. This 19,000-seat venue, giving fans plenty of opportunity to catch a game.
The team will also use Veterans Memorial Coliseum as a backup venue. This will be especially important during 2027-2029, when the Moda Center is expected to undergo major renovations.
When it comes to training, the team is already set up to crush it. Just last week, the ownership group announced plans for a cutting-edge training facility in Hillsboro, Oregon. This suburban location will give players a dedicated space to practice and develop.
What makes this training facility special is that it will be shared with the Portland Thorns soccer team. This will be the first joint women's sports practice facility of its kind in American professional sports. Let’s hope this shared facility is one piece of the puzzle that will help make Portland a hub for women’s sports of all kinds.
Team Operations
Building a competitive team takes time and careful planning. Let’s walk through some of the key points related to team operations during this ramp-up period.
- Staffing: The process of hiring coaches, scouts, and other key staff will likely begin in late 2025. The ownership group will want experienced WNBA personnel in place well before the first game.
- The Draft: The expansion draft will probably happen in late 2025 or early 2026. Since both Portland and Toronto will be joining the league at the same time, the WNBA faces an interesting challenge. The league will likely create special rules to ensure both new teams get a fair chance at the existing talent in the WNBA. They might allow existing teams to protect fewer players than in past expansion drafts, or give the new teams extra draft picks. We’ll keep you posted as more detail emerge.
- Thorns Connection: One advantage for Portland's WNBA team is its connection to the successful Portland Thorns soccer club. The two can share business operations, marketing expertise, and fan engagement strategies. The Bhathal family has already shown they know how to run a successful women's sports franchise with the Thorns. That experience should help the WNBA team hit the ground running in 2026.
WNBA Expansion
The WNBA is growing fast, adding three new teams in just two years. Let’s take a closer look at the expansion so far, where the WNBA might take things next, and how Portland fits into the league as it grows.
- Golden State Valkyries (2025): The Golden State Valkyries will be the first new WNBA team since 2008. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, they'll start play in 2025. The team is owned by the same group that owns the NBA's Golden State Warriors and will play in Chase Center.
- Toronto Expansion (2026): Toronto will join the WNBA (alongside Portland) in 2026. This marks the league's return to Canada after the Vancouver Grizzlies left in 2002. The Toronto team doesn't have an official name yet, but the ownership group includes Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which also owns the Toronto Raptors.
The WNBA has hinted at adding a 16th team by 2028. What new team will it be? No city has been named just yet. Based on recent patterns, we’re keeping our eye on Philadelphia, Nashville, Denver, and Austin — all NBA markets with strong community support for women’s sports.
The expansion draft process will be tricky with three new teams entering in two years. We don’t know what things will look like yet, but we’re willing to speculate that the league might use a staggered approach, with Golden State getting their picks in 2025, followed by a joint draft for Portland and Toronto in 2026. This is just speculation, but it would give each new team a fair shot at building competitive rosters.
Let’s take a peek at a few of the other trends swirling around the WNBA these days:
- New Media Rights Deal: The WNBA's new $2.2 billion media rights deal is a game-changer. This 11-year agreement with ESPN, Amazon, and NBC is about 10 times larger than the previous deal. Each team will receive much more broadcasting revenue, helping fund player salaries and team operations, which is all good news for fans who want to see women’s sports get a little more time in the spotlight.
- Rising Popularity: The 2024 season saw record attendance and TV viewership. The league averaged over 9,000 fans per game for the first time, and TV ratings jumped over 150% from the previous year. Stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and A'ja Wilson have brought new fans to the game. For years, most WNBA teams operated at a loss. Now, with bigger media deals, more sponsors, and rising ticket sales, the path to profitability is clearer. Portland's team has a good chance to be profitable within its first few seasons if they can build on the city's proven support for women's sports.
- Collective Bargaining: Another thing to keep a close eye on is the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) coming down the line in a few years. The current CBA runs through 2027. The next negotiation will likely include higher salary caps and improved benefits. New teams like Portland will need to plan for these changes as they build their rosters.
Speculating on Portland’s Roster
Building a competitive team from scratch is challenging but exciting. Of course, we don’t yet know exactly how things will play out, but we wanted to have a little fun and talk about some things we’d like to see!
Based on past WNBA expansion drafts, I speculate that existing teams will be able to protect about 6-8 players. That limit still leaves several quality role players available for the new teams. Though “new blood” from college recruits will be important, as well, some veteran leaders are going to be critical to getting Portland’s new team off the ground.
New teams can also make a splash by signing big-name free agents. The expansion fee should give Portland a bit of pocket money, which opens the team up to offering a pretty powerful contract if they’ve got their eye on any star in particular.
Portland will likely have a high pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Though veteran players are important, it’s likely that such a young team will focus most of their energy on drafting young stars with local connections to build fan excitement. Players from Oregon, Oregon State, or other Northwest schools could be targets if they show WNBA potential.
Portlant might also want to target versatile players who can fill multiple roles while the roster develops. This approach has helped past expansion teams like the Las Vegas Aces build competitive rosters more quickly.
Fan Engagement and Community Impact
We’re all stoked for the new team and what it means for Portland. So, how can we get involved?
Even though the first game is still over a year away, you don’t have to wait! Let’s talk about some ways you can get ahead of the game and start supporting Portland’s new WNBA team from day one.
- Season Tickets: The team has launched an interest list for season tickets. Joining this list gives you priority when seats go on sale. Early sign-ups will get the best seat locations when the team starts playing in 2026.
- Fan Events: The ownership group plans to hold fan events throughout 2025 to build excitement. Look for player appearances, logo unveilings, and community basketball clinics across the Portland area (we’ll keep you posted, don’t worry!)
- Social Media: Follow the team's developing social media accounts to stay updated. While the official team name isn't set yet, a placeholder account is already sharing news about the franchise's development.
- Merchandise: Team merchandise will likely hit stores soon after the name announcement later this spring! Keep your eyes peeled — we know we will.
The new team isn’t just a sports team — this is a new piece of the larger Portland community, and will have a positive impact on Portland youngsters. The ownership group has already begun talking with local women's sports organizations. These partnerships will help grow basketball at all levels while supporting Portland's existing women's sports community.
Youth basketball programs will be another major focus for the ownership group. The team plans to run camps, clinics, and school visits to inspire the next generation of players and fans. Once they have calendars available, we’ll share that information here on our site!
The Economic Impact of Portland WNBA
A new pro sports team brings more than excitement and entertainment to its home city — it also brings money! Let’s look at some of the ways the new WNBA team will impact Portland’s cash flow and employment numbers!
- Job Creation: Beyond the players and coaches, the team will create dozens of full-time jobs and hundreds of part-time positions. These include front office staff, game-day workers, and support personnel.
- Local Business Boost: Restaurants, bars, and shops near the arena will see increased business on game days. With at least 20 home games each season (including preseason and potential playoffs), that means tons of opportunities for these local businesses.
- Tourism and Visiting Teams: WNBA games attract out-of-town visitors who spend money on hotels, meals, and shopping. When nearby teams like Seattle, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles come to town, their fans often travel to support their teams.
The most exciting economic impact might be long-term. Bringing the WNBA to Portland strengthens our position and identity as the American capital for women’s sports. Building out this reputation is an awesome way to build up tourism and give the city recognition on the national (and international!) stage.
Portland WNBA Timeline
The next year is crucial for building the foundation of Portland's WNBA team. Let’s take a look at the major events and when they may hit the news cycle:
- Team Naming Announcement: Spring 2025 will bring the big reveal of the team's name, colors, and logo.
- Staff Hiring: The front office started taking shape in late 2024 and into 2025. Key hires include a General Manager and top business executives who can guide the team's development.
- Facility Updates: Throughout 2025, we'll see progress on the Hillsboro training facility. The team will share updates on construction and design of this groundbreaking joint facility for the WNBA team and Thorns.
- Expansion Draft: In late 2025 or early 2026, Portland will participate in the expansion draft. This is when they'll select players from existing WNBA teams to form the core of their roster.
- Player Acquisition: Beyond the expansion draft, the team will pursue free agents and prepare for the 2026 WNBA Draft. These moves will be critical in determining how competitive the team will be in its first season.
- Ticket Sales: Season ticket packages will go on sale, likely in Fall 2025. Those who joined the interest list earlier will get priority access to the best seats.
- Final Preparations: The months leading up to the first game will include player training camps, preseason games, and final touches on the game-day experience at Moda Center.
- Opening Game: The first home game will be a major event for Portland sports. Based on past expansion teams, we speculate it might be scheduled against a marquee opponent like Seattle (creating an instant northwest rivalry) or Las Vegas.
Key Matchups: Games against Seattle, Golden State, and Phoenix will likely become regional rivalries.
While expansion teams often face challenges in their first seasons, Portland's strong basketball culture and experienced ownership group should help us hit the ground running. In these early seasons, ownership will likely focus on building a competitive team brick by brick, even if a championship might be a few years away — but hey, don’t count us out yet!
How To Stay In The Loop
Following Portland's WNBA journey is easy! First of all, you can stick with us here at PDX Bounce. We’ll be covering all the major announcements, sharing schedule updates as they surface, and giving you our take on draft picks, management hires, and more.
The team has launched an official website where fans can sign up for email updates about all major announcements. The official site is a great source for official news about the team name, ticket sales, and player signings.
Social media is another great way to stay connected. The team has accounts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook that share behind-the-scenes content and breaking news. Following these accounts gives you the fastest updates on team developments.
PDX Bounce will be there every step of the way, bringing you exclusive content and fan perspectives throughout the journey!
The path to tipoff in 2026 is full of exciting milestones! Stick with us and we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest.
Portland WNBA Updates and More
Portland isn’t just joining the WNBA — we’re helping to lead a revolution in the popularity of professional women’s sports.
Our city has already proven its support with record-breaking Thorns crowds and passionate college basketball fans. Now, we're ready to show the world what a WNBA city looks like!
The return of the WNBA to Portland, alongside stronger league economics and experienced ownership, is incredible news to women’s basketball fans both inside and outside the greater Portland area.
This is just the beginning of an exciting journey, and you can be part of it from day one. Subscribe to the PDX Bounce Highlight Reel to get exclusive updates on Portland's WNBA team delivered straight to your inbox. Our newsletter covers everything from ownership announcements to player profiles and fan events — all with the local perspective you won't find anywhere else.
Don't miss a single step on the path to tipoff in 2026. The next chapter of Portland basketball starts now, and PDX Bounce will keep you in the game!
