Official attendance records from the WNBA or the Portland franchise

WNBA Announces Portland as 15th Franchise, Set to Begin Play in 2026 at Moda Center for $125 Million

Sep 18, 2024, 02:04 PM

The WNBA has officially announced the addition of its 15th franchise, returning to Portland, Oregon. The new team, set to begin play in the 2026 season at Moda Center, will be owned and operated by RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal. This expansion comes after Portland previously hosted the Portland Fire from 2000 to 2002. The Bhathals recently acquired the Portland Thorns of the NWSL, further solidifying their investment in Portland's sports scene. The expansion fee for the new franchise is reported to be a record $125 million. This move follows the recent additions of teams in the Bay Area and Toronto, reflecting the WNBA's growing popularity and expansion efforts. The new Portland team will create an immediate rival for the Seattle Storm.