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4d ago

Portland Fire Name Vanja Černivec First GM, Set Sept. 15 Start

Fresh off helping build Golden State’s breakout expansion team, she brings an international scouting track record to a franchise targeting a 2026 launch.

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Overview

  • Černivec will begin on Sept. 15 after completing the Valkyries’ regular season, the team announced.
  • She is charged with leading all basketball operations, including hiring the inaugural head coach, assembling a staff, and constructing the first roster.
  • The Slovenia native served as the Valkyries’ vice president of basketball operations in their strong debut season and previously was London Lions GM and the Chicago Bulls’ first female international scout.
  • Portland cites more than 13,000 season-ticket deposits and ongoing work on a Hillsboro practice facility, with Clare Hamill serving as interim president following earlier leadership turnover.
  • Černivec noted uncertainty around expansion-draft timing due to ongoing CBA talks and said Portland will plan for a December draft and February free agency while preparing to adjust.