The return of the WNBA to Portland, Oregon, couldn’t have been more exciting as the team preparing to play in 2026 is an expansion team. It’s about time for Pacific Northwest basketball fans. The owners are Raj Sports, and this team shall be owned by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, who paid an astonishing $125 million for this privilege. Community support and a vibrant sports culture bode well for this team.
A Vision For Portland
Lisa Bhathal was bubbling over with enthusiasm talking about her city. “This is huge for Portland. We’re so honored and humbled to deliver this WNBA franchise.” She pointed out that Portland is diverse and energetic. The Bhathals gained an understanding of this during their research into the successful soccer team, Portland Thorns. Blathak believes Portland is a real “basketball city,” and now they look forward to a great future for the team.
The Bhathal family had some discussion with the WNBA late last year following an earlier attempt to bring a team to Portland, which did not materialize. Bhathal mentioned that knowing the league was interested gave them confidence in pursuing this opportunity. Their goal is to expand the reach of women’s sports in the region, making Portland a central hub for women’s athletics.
Expanding The League
Portland’s new team is one of three expansion franchises that will come aboard in the next two years. The other expansion franchises include the Golden State Valkyries next season and Toronto in 2026. Portland once had a WNBA team, the Fire, that existed from 2000 until 2002. They drew more than 8,000 per game in the Rose Garden over their three seasons. The new expansion team will play at the Moda Center, the home of the Portland Trail Blazers. The Bhathals will also construct a practice facility solely for this purpose, which showcases their eagerness to inject much-needed life into the franchise.
The Bhathal family, together with their other ventures, co-own the Sacramento Kings and have just recently taken over the Thorns in the NWSL. Thus, undoubtedly, their success in professional sports can inspire hope within fans for the future of the team.
Perfect City At A Perfect Time
Portland has a long history of embracing women’s athletics, from the powerhouse college programs at Oregon and Oregon State to the Thorns. The Bhathal’s latest $63 million purchase of the Thorns was an indication of their commitment to the cause. Presently, the Thorns are averaging more than 18,000 fans per game, so it’s clear that there’s no dearth of fan passion in town for women’s athletics.
The city of Portland is hyped up as the new WNBA team will soon be welcomed to Portland. Community support combined with great leadership and a very well-developed sporting culture is a sure promise for women’s basketball in Portland. Fans are already awaiting the return of professional basketball, and the WNBA teams are waiting in the wings to deliver. Time for Portland to kick off the 2026 season.
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