WNBA is officially expanding with a team in Portland

The WNBA has officially announced the expansion of a new team in Portland, set to begin play in the 2026 season at the Moda Center. This decision concludes years of speculation and advocacy from dedicated fans and community leaders, including notable support from Jenny Nguyen, owner of The Sports Bra. While the specifics regarding the team's name, colors, and logo are still pending, the anticipation for professional women's basketball's return to Portland is significant. The city's last WNBA team, the Portland Fire, folded in 2002, without a winning season, making this a moment of potential revival for the league in the region. The league's expansion will increase its total to 15 teams, following the introduction of the Golden State Valkyries and an unnamed franchise in Toronto.

The Bhathal family, who recently took over the Portland Thorns, will be the new franchise's owners. This development underscores the growing popularity and support for women's sports, particularly basketball, in Portland. Fans are eager to embrace this new chapter in the city's sports history.