Portland gets WNBA expansion franchise, will be league's 15th team

The WNBA has confirmed that Portland will receive a long-awaited expansion franchise, its first since the Portland Fire disbanded in 2002. This significant announcement was made on Wednesday, with the new team slated to begin play in the 2026 season. A name and logo for the team will be announced at a later date, and the community will be engaged in the naming process, according to controlling owner Lisa Bhathal Merage. The Bhathal family, known for their ownership of the Portland Thorns and stakes in other sports teams, leads the ownership group. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was present at the announcement and highlighted Portland's emergence as a leading city for women's sports.

This expansion comes at a time when the WNBA is experiencing a surge in popularity, with average attendance rising significantly. The return of a WNBA team is expected to energize local sports fans and contribute to the growth of women's sports in the region. Overall, this is a momentous occasion for both Portland and the WNBA as they embark on this new chapter together.