Portland will bring back the Portland Fire as the team prepare to enter the league next season. Portland Fire first enter the league in 2000 and folded in 2002, then last Sept. 2024, WNAB announced that Portland will the 15th WNBA franchise set to begin play in the 2026 season, will be owned and operated by RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal.
Welcome the Portland Fire
Tip-off in 2026. pic.twitter.com/GFpaZg8pvU
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 15, 2025
RAJ Sports is also the principal co-owners of Sacramento Kings (NBA) and Stockton Kings (NBA G-League). RAJ Sports also purchased the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in January 2024.
