WNBA Expansion: Portland Gets a New Team

The WNBA is returning to Portland, Oregon, with the city's biggest city getting an expansion team that will begin play in 2026. The news comes as the league continues its expansion efforts, with plans to add more teams in the coming years.

Raj Sports to Own and Operate the Portland WNBA Team

The new WNBA franchise will be owned and operated by Raj Sports, which is led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal. This same group also owns the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League, and they paid $125 million for the WNBA franchise.

• Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal are already well-known in the Portland sports scene for their successful ownership of the Portland Thorns. This shows their commitment to women's sports and the community.
• The $125 million purchase price reflects the growing value of the WNBA and the league's ability to attract new investors.

Strong Support for Women's Sports in Portland

Portland is a city that has a strong history of supporting women's sports. It is home to the Portland Thorns, which consistently draws large crowds. The city also has the nation's first bar exclusively for women's sports, the Sports Bra, which opened in 2022.

• The Thorns, who are drawing more than 18,000 fans on average to each home game, show the strong support for women's sports in Portland.
• The opening of the Sports Bra, a bar that celebrates women's sports, demonstrates the city's commitment to creating spaces for women's sports fans.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Portland's Appeal

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has expressed her excitement about the expansion to Portland, stating that the city was always at the top of the league's list for potential new teams.

• Engelbert believes that Portland's strong support for women's sports and its passionate sports fans make it a perfect fit for the WNBA.

Portland's History with the WNBA

Portland previously had a WNBA team, the Fire, from 2000 until it folded in 2002. That franchise averaged more than 8,000 fans when games were played at the Rose Garden, now known as the Moda Center.

• The previous Portland Fire team demonstrated that the city has a solid fanbase for WNBA basketball.
• The new franchise will play at the Moda Center, the same venue where the Fire played, suggesting that there is already a good infrastructure in place for the WNBA.

The Future of the WNBA

The WNBA's expansion to Portland is part of a larger strategy to grow the league and make it more accessible to fans nationwide.

• The league plans to add more teams in the coming years, with hopes of having even more teams by 2028.
• The addition of new teams will help to bring the WNBA to new markets and expose a wider audience to the sport.

Key Figures in the Portland WNBA Expansion

Several key figures played a role in bringing the WNBA to Portland, including Lisa Bhathal Merage, Alex Bhathal, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. Their combined efforts helped to make the expansion a reality.

• Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal's leadership and investment were crucial to securing the franchise for Portland.
• WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's vision for the league's growth and her commitment to expanding to new markets helped to make the expansion to Portland possible.
• Oregon Governor Tina Kotek's support for the expansion demonstrates the state's commitment to women's sports.

Community Engagement for Team Name

The Bhathals have announced that they will involve the community in the process of choosing a name for the new WNBA team. This shows their desire to create a team that is deeply connected to the city.

• The community engagement initiative is a great way to build excitement for the new team and create a sense of ownership among Portland residents.