The Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) continued expansion plans has hit Portland, Oregon, as the city is the latest to be awarded a franchise that will begin play in 2026, the league announced on Wednesday.
Portland becomes the third franchise the WNBA adds over the next two years after Golden State and Toronto have been awarded teams.
This marks the WNBA’s return to the city of Portland, which was home to the Portland Fire from 2000-02, and the new team will be owned and operated by Raj Sports and led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and her brother Alex Bhathal.
Portland will be the WNBA’s 15th franchise with 12 currently operational.
“As the WNBA builds on a season of unprecedented growth, bringing a team back to Portland is another important step forward,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a press release.
“Portland has been an epicenter of the women’s sports movement and is home to a passionate community of basketball fans.
“Pairing this energy with the Bhathal family’s vision of leading top-flight professional sports teams will ensure that we deliver a premier WNBA team to the greater Portland area.”
A new era for women's hoops 🏁
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert hands over the iconic WNBA ball to Portland. pic.twitter.com/FF3d1kVnRq
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 18, 2024
Meanwhile, Bhathal Merage added: “The business potential in women’s sports is undeniable.
“We are witnessing unprecedented growth, investment and fan interest. We believe that Portland, with its forward thinking and innovative spirit, is the perfect city to lead this charge.”
Raj Sports also owns the National Women’s Soccer League (NSWL) team the Portland Thorns, and Bhathal Merage added that the franchise would provide a boost to the city beyond the court.
“We see this team not only as an investment in basketball but an investment in this city’s future,” she said.
“We will create jobs, contribute to the local economy and give back.”
The new franchise will play their home games at Portland’s Moda Center, which is also home to the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
