Portland, Oregon, has long been rumored to be one of the next cities to be awarded a WNBA expansion team, and it looks like their time is finally coming! According to Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report, the official announcement will be on September 10. After plans to add one fell through nearly a year ago, Portland is finally landing a WNBA expansion team.
Bhathal family secures WNBA expansion team for Portland
Per Highkin, the Bhathal family will head the new ownership group—the same family that owns Portland's professional women's soccer team, the Portland Thorns. The WNBA will introduce Portland's new team in the 2026 season.
Portland's new WNBA team will play its home games at the Moda Center, where the Trail Blazers currently play. But it may be a few transitional years until that becomes a reality. Until then, they will likely play at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which is also currently the arena for the Portland Winterhawks, a Western Hockey League team.
Portland will join Toronto as the two cities to implement a WNBA expansion team in 2026. Another new team, which will play in 2025, is the Golden State Valkyries. Portland, Toronto, and San Francisco will play significant roles in the WNBA's plan to take advantage of their recent increase in popularity. By 2028, their goal is to grow from 12 to 16 teams, which leaves one city remaining. Highkin notes that the cities in contention to receive the remaining expansion spot include Philadelphia, Denver, Nashville, and Miami.
History of the Portland Fire
Portland did have a WNBA team for a brief stint, the Fire, between 2000 and 2002. They missed out on the playoffs in all three seasons but were showing signs of improvement before they ultimately folded. Here are their records in their short time in the WNBA:
- 2000: 10-22
- 2001: 11-21
- 2002: 16-16
It remains to be seen whether the Fire will be Portland's name or if they will go with something new. But this is a mutual win for the WNBA, which has seen a recent boost in popularity, and the city of Portland, which has been actively trying to get a new WNBA team.