WNBA To Return To Portland By Adding Another Franchise

This marks the third expansion franchise the WNBA will add over the next two years, with Golden State and Toronto getting the other two.

The WNBA is set to return to Portland, with Oregon’s biggest city getting an expansion team that will begin play in 2026.

The team will be owned and operated by Raj Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal. The pair also own the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League. They paid $125 million for the franchise.

Around 300 invited guests attended a kickoff event at Portland’s Moda Center Wednesday afternoon. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden were present. Local and state officials also attended. Afterward, there was a community-wide event outside the stadium.

This marks the third expansion franchise the WNBA will add over the next two years, with Golden State and Toronto getting the other two.