Official announcement from the WNBA or the Portland franchise website

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

Sep 18, 2024, 02:04 PM

The WNBA has officially announced the addition of its 15th franchise, awarding the expansion team to Portland, Oregon. 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 marks a return of the WNBA to Portland, which previously hosted the Portland Fire from 2000 to 2002. The ownership group paid a record $125 million for the franchise. Portland joins recent expansion teams in Golden State and Toronto, reflecting the league's growing popularity and expansion efforts. The move also creates a new rival for the Seattle Storm. The Bhathals recently closed on the purchase of the NWSL's Portland Thorns, and three ownership groups fought for the WNBA franchise.