WNBA Announces Portland as 15th Franchise for $125M, Team to Begin Play in 2026

Sep 18, 2024, 02:15 PM

The WNBA has officially announced that Portland, Oregon, will be home to the league's 15th franchise. 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. This expansion comes after the league previously had a team in Portland, the Portland Fire, which played from 2000 to 2002. The addition of the Portland team follows recent expansions to Golden State and Toronto. The owners paid a record $125 million for the franchise, and the team will play its home games at the Moda Center. The move is expected to create a new rivalry with the Seattle Storm. This announcement comes during the WNBA's 28th season, which has seen increased viewership, attendance, and merchandise sales.