WNBA Awards Portland 15th Franchise for $125 Million, Team to Begin Play in 2026

Sep 18, 2024, 02:00 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 at the Moda Center. The franchise will be owned and operated by RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal. This announcement follows the recent addition of expansion teams in Golden State and Toronto. The Bhathal family, who also own the NWSL's Portland Thorns, secured the franchise for a record $125 million. Portland previously had a WNBA team, the Portland Fire, which played from 2000 to 2002. The new team will be based in the Rose City and is expected to create an immediate rival for the Seattle Storm.