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Sometimes progress means returning in time, and that is exactly what the WNBA Portland expansion franchise did this week.
The WNBA announced on Tuesday that the expansion franchise will be called Portland Fire, repeating the name of the previous WNBA franchise that was played in Portland from 2000 to 2002.
“Our feeling is that the fire never died,” said Fire Interim Clare Hamill president. “Fans have been waiting for us to return, and we are back with Portland’s fire.”
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The WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage Pose, for a photo during a press conference that announced that Portland received an expansion franchise of the WNBA on September 18, 2024, at the Mada de Portland center, Ore. (Cameron Browne/NBAe through Getty Images)
In addition to the name, the team has a new “Rose On Fire” logo and a red, brown, blue and pink color palette.
“As a city that has long defended women’s sports, Portland is ready to claim its place in the WNBA and revive its connection with the game on the world stage,” Hamill said in a statement. “We are delighted to complete the trip of bringing professional female basketball back to the city of Rose, while honoring the legacy of the original franchise to open a new path forward.”
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Jackie Stiles, of the Fire Portland, leads to the basket during a game against Detroit’s clash on June 15, 2002, at Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. (Sam Fortich/WNBAE/Getty Images)
Portland received a WNBA team in September. The team is led by Raj Sports, which also has the Portland thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League.
The Fire and The Thorns will share a new joint training complex in the first association of this type between the two leagues of women.
Tully Bevilaqua (4) of the Portland fire talks with Demya Walker (22) and teammates during a game against Phoenix Mercury on August 11, 2002, at Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. (Sam Fortich/WNBAE/Getty Images)
The fire has already sold more than 11,000 seasonal tickets for the 2026 season, exceeding the best in the WNBA. The team will play at Fashion Center, where the original fire averaged some 8,000 fans per game.
The fire is not the only team that WNBA is presenting to the League next season. Toronto’s tempo will also begin to play in 2026.
