Attendance records from the Portland WNBA team or verified news outlets

WNBA Announces 15th Franchise in Portland, Expanding West Coast Presence in 2026

Sep 18, 2024, 02:04 PM

The WNBA has announced the addition of its 15th franchise, returning to Portland, Oregon. The new team is set to begin play in the 2026 season and will be owned and operated by RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal. The Bhathal family also owns the NWSL's Portland Thorns. The expansion comes amid a period of unprecedented popularity for the WNBA, which has recently added new franchises in Golden State and Toronto. The Portland team will play its games at the Moda Center, reviving professional women's basketball in the city after the Portland Fire, which played from 2000 to 2002. The ownership group paid a record $125 million for the franchise. This move continues the WNBA's expansion on the west coast and creates a new rival for the Seattle Storm.