WNBA · Western Conference

Portland Fire

The league's 15th team, bringing back a name Portland last carried in 2002.

CityPortland, Oregon
Founded2026
ConferenceWestern
LeagueWNBA

The story

Reviving a name, twenty years on

There was a Portland Fire once before, from 2000 to 2002, before it folded. The new Fire revives that name as the league's fifteenth team, debuting in the 2026 season.

The club is owned by RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, who also own the NWSL's Portland Thorns. They paid a record expansion fee to bring the team to a city that loves its women's sport.

With a fresh red, brown, blue and pink identity and a passionate market behind it, Portland is betting that the second time lasts longer than the first.

For the fans

You get a piece of your city's history back. The Fire name carries a story, and a fanbase that already fills stadiums for the Thorns is ready to fill another.

For the punters

A brand-new roster means the openers are soft and unreliable. Expansion teams tend to struggle early, so the value often sits with their opponents until the team finds its feet.

See the Fire odds board → More WNBA: Storm · Sparks

Roster