Overview

• The expansion franchise unveiled its Portland Fire name and logo on July 15, featuring Mount Hood, the city’s rose, the Moda Center roofline and the 12 bridges in its design.
• Ownership by Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage’s RAJ Sports will align the new WNBA team with the Portland Thorns under a shared sports ownership model.
• Home games are set for the Moda Center, with plans underway for a dual-sport training facility to serve both the Fire and Thorns.
• Nearly 11,000 season-ticket deposits have been placed, signaling strong community enthusiasm for the return of women’s professional basketball.
• Portland will join Toronto as a 2026 expansion team as the WNBA builds toward 18 franchises by 2030 with future additions in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia.