PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland is "closing in" on getting an expansion WNBA franchise that will begin play in 2026, according to a report from Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report, who cited multiple sources with knowledge of the plans.
The Bhathal family, which bought the Portland Thorns for $63 million earlier this year, will lead the ownership group, Highkin reported. The Bhathal family has ties to the NBA — Raj Bhathal is co-owner of the Sacramento Kings. His children, Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal run day-to-day operations for the Thorns.
The announcement by the WNBA and the Bhathal family is expected to happen Sept. 10, according to Highkin, with a team name and logo to be announced later. The WNBA hasn't confirmed the report yet, saying only in a statement, via Highkin, that "the WNBA remains in active discussions with potential ownership groups across various markets, and the approval of any new expansion teams will be subject to a board vote."
Highkin reports that Portland's WNBA team will ultimately play its home games at Moda Center, home of the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, though it may play its first couple seasons at Veterans Memorial Coliseum due to renovations at Moda Center.
The WNBA is in the midst of a surge in popularity. Attendance is up to an average of 9,311 fans per game this season, up from 6,615 last season, and ESPN reports that viewership of WNBA games on the network is up 183% compared to last season.
In November 2023, following multiple reports that Portland was a leading candidate for an expansion team, the WNBA announced those plans had been put on hold. At the time, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said, "when the time is right, we look forward to pursuing prospects for bringing the WNBA to Portland."
The Rose City is an ideal fit for the WNBA, with proven interest in college women's basketball at Oregon and Oregon State, and one of the most dedicated fan bases in the NWSL with the Thorns, who rank third in the league in attendance this season.
Portland had a WNBA team for three seasons, from 2000 until it folded following the 2002 season. The Portland Fire were a popular draw, with more than 8,000 fans attending games at the Rose Garden on game nights, which ranked in the middle of the WNBA at the time.
