The WNBA franchise of Portland unveiled its name and logo on Tuesday and will begin to play as Portland Fire in 2026. Portland’s fire is being reborn.
The WNBA expansion franchise, which would enter the league in 2026, announced on Tuesday that it would reuse the name of the city’s original entry into the league. The original Portland Fire was a member of the league from 2000–02 with a record of 37-59.
The team never made a playoffs after the 2002 season.
Claire Hamil, the interim president of the franchise, said, “As a city that has made women’s game champion for a long time, Portland is ready to retrieve its place in Portland WNBA and rule its connections to the game on the world stage.” “We are thrilled to fulfill the journey of professional women to bring back the basketball back to the city, respecting the legacy of the original franchise to carry forward a new, bold path.”
The team’s logo pays homage to the symbols of the city: Mount Hood, the highest point in Oregon; City flowers, roses; The roof of the team’s house area, moda center; And 12 bridges that connect the city from east to west.
Portland enters WNBA with Toronto in 2026. Teams in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030) will give WNBA 18 teams if they join the league.
Enthusiasm is being produced in Portland, where the franchise will be owned by Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhatal Merej of Raj Sports. The group also acquired the Portland fork of the National Women’s Football League in 2024.
“Along with submitting around 11,000 seasons tickets, this community has made it clear that they are ready to embrace the return of women’s professional basketball,” Lisa Bhalle Merge said. “We are proud to rule the Portland fire and can’t wait to welcome fans for new and longer at the Moda Center in 2026.”
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