1 year ago
WNBA announces new franchise in Portland
WNBA Expands to Portland
The WNBA has awarded its 15th franchise to Portland, Oregon, marking a significant expansion for the league. The team, owned by RAJ Sports, will begin play in 2026, bringing professional women's basketball back to the city after a long absence.
Portland has been an epicenter of the women's sports movement and is home to a passionate community of basketball fans.
- Portland awarded 15th WNBA franchise, set to begin play in 2026.
- RAJ Sports, led by Bhathal family, to own and operate the new team.
- Expansion follows surge in women's basketball popularity, partly due to Caitlin Clark.
- Portland returns to WNBA after two-decade absence since Portland Fire's 2002 exit.
This expansion comes amid growing interest in women's basketball and follows recent franchise awards to Toronto and Golden State. It also marks Portland's return to the WNBA after more than 20 years, following the Portland Fire's brief stint from 2000 to 2002.
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