Portland Fire

The Portland Fire is a professional women's basketball team in the WNBA, with a history that spans two distinct eras. The original franchise debuted in 2000 as part of the league's expansion to 16 teams, owned by Paul Allen's Vulcan Sports & Entertainment. Playing at the Rose Garden (now Moda Center), the Fire drew average crowds over 8,000 but never found consistent success, posting a 37-59 record over three seasons and folding after 2002, the only WNBA team to cease operations without a playoff appearance. The franchise was revived in 2024 under RAJ Sports, owned by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, and returned to the court for the 2026 season.

The revived Fire has quickly built momentum in Portland, a city with proven passion for women's sports. The team shares the Moda Center with the Trail Blazers and benefits from a fanbase that has supported the Portland Thorns to three NWSL titles and average attendance over 16,000. Head coach Alex Sarama, named WNBA Coach of the Month for May 2026, leads a roster blending international talent and WNBA veterans. Key players include guard Teja Oblak, who joined the league at age 35 after a decorated European career, and forward Sarah Ashlee Barker, a standout from Alabama. The Fire's debut season has featured competitive play, including a quadruple-overtime thriller against the Washington Mystics in May 2026. [edit]

The original Portland Fire launched in 2000 as an expansion team alongside the Miami Sol, Seattle Storm, and Indiana Fever. Owned by Paul Allen, the Fire shared front-office resources with the Trail Blazers. Head coach Linda Hargrove, who also served as general manager, led a roster that included guard Stacey Lovelace and forward Sylvia Crawley. The team's 2001 season saw them draft Jackie Stiles fourth overall out of Missouri State; Stiles won Rookie of the Year honors, averaging 14.9 points per game. Despite her individual success, the Fire finished 11-21, their best record. The franchise folded after the 2002 season, a casualty of league-wide contraction that also saw the Sol and Utah Starzz relocate or dissolve.

The revival was announced in September 2024, with RAJ Sports paying a $50 million expansion fee. The new Fire began play in 2026, retaining the original name and colors. The front office prioritized international scouting, signing Slovenian guard Teja Oblak and German center Luisa Geiselsoder. The team's May 2026 quadruple-overtime loss to the Washington Mystics, 124-123, tied the WNBA record for most overtimes and drew national attention. By late May, the Fire had posted multiple winning streaks, and Sarama earned Coach of the Month honors. The team also introduced in-arena entertainment, including a home opener halftime show by Grammy-winning artist Ashanti. [edit]