Portland Wnba Franchise Returns With Revived Name And Will Begin Play In 2026

Sometimes, moving guardant intends going backmost successful time, and that’s precisely what the WNBA’s Portland description franchise did this week. 

The WNBA announced Tuesday that nan description franchise will beryllium named nan Portland Fire, reprising nan sanction from nan erstwhile WNBA franchise that played in Portland from 2000 to 2002. 

"Our emotion is that nan Fire ne'er died," interim Fire president Clare Hamill said. "Fans person been waiting for america to travel back, and we're backmost pinch nan Portland Fire."

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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage airs for a photograph during a news convention announcing Portland was awarded a WNBA description franchise Sept. 18, 2024, astatine nan MODA Center successful Portland, Ore.  (Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)

In summation to nan name, nan squad has a caller "Rose connected Fire" logo and a colour palette of red, brown, bluish and pink.

"As a metropolis that has agelong championed women’s sports, Portland is fresh to reclaim its spot successful nan WNBA and reignite its relationship to nan crippled connected nan world stage," Hamill said successful a statement. "We are thrilled to complete nan travel of bringing master women’s hoops backmost to nan Rose City, while honoring nan bequest of nan original franchise to blaze a new, bold way forward."

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Jackie Stiles of nan Portland Fire drives to nan handbasket during a crippled against nan Detroit Shock June 15, 2002, astatine nan Rose Garden successful Portland, Ore.  (Sam Forencich/WNBAE/Getty Images)

Portland was awarded a WNBA squad successful September. The squad is tally by Raj Sports, which besides owns nan Portland Thorns of nan National Women’s Soccer League.

The Fire and nan Thorns will stock a caller associated training analyzable successful nan first specified business betwixt nan 2 women's leagues. 

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Tully Bevilaqua (4) of nan Portland Fire talks pinch DeMya Walker (22) and teammates during a crippled against nan Phoenix Mercury Aug. 11, 2002, astatine nan Rose Garden successful Portland, Ore. (Sam Forencich/WNBAE/Getty Images)

The Fire person already sold much than 11,000 play tickets for nan 2026 season, surpassing nan WNBA's erstwhile best. The squad will play astatine nan Moda Center, wherever nan original Fire averaged astir 8,000 fans a game.

The Fire are not nan only squad nan WNBA is introducing to nan convention adjacent season. The Toronto Tempo will besides statesman play successful 2026. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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