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Sometimes it means getting ahead with going back in time, and that’s exactly what WNBA’s Portland Expansion -Franchise did this week.
WNBA announced on Tuesday that the expansion franchise will be named Portland four and reprise the name from the previous WNBA franchise, which played in Portland from 2000 to 2002.
“Our feeling is that the fire never died,” said President Clare Hamill Hamill. “Fans have been waiting for us to come back and we’re back with Portland four.”
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WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage are for a photo during a news conference announcing Portland was awarded a WNBA Expansion Franchise 18 September 2024 at Moda Center in Portland, Ore. (Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
In addition to the name, the team has a new “Rose on Fire” logo and a color palette of red, brown, blue and pink.
“As a city that has long fooled women’s sports, Portland is ready to regain its place in WNBA and re -set his connection to the game on the world scene,” Hamill said in a statement. “We are happy to end the journey by bringing professional women’s basketball back to Rose City while we honor the legacy of the original franchise to flare a new, bold path forward.”
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Jackie Stiles of the Portland Fire drives to the basket during a game against Detroit Shock 15 June 2002 at Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. (Sam Simplcich/Wnbae/Getty Images)
Portland was awarded a WNBA team in September. The team is run by Raj Sports, who also owns Portland Thorns from the National Women’s Soccer League.
The fire and the thorns will share a new common training complex in the first such partnership between the leagues of the two women.
Tully Beligaqua (4) from Portland Fire talks to Demya Walker (22) and teammates during a game against Phoenix Mercury 11 August 2002 at Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. (Sam Simplcich/Wnbae/Getty Images)
The fire has already sold more than 11,000 season tickets to the 2026 season and surpasses WNBA’s former best. The team plays in Moda Center, where the original brand average was about 8,000 fans a game.
The fire is not the only team WNBA introduces to the league next season. Toronto Tempo also starts playing in 2026.
