The WNBA is officially coming to Portland, Oregon, again.
On Wednesday, the league (finally!) confirmed that Portland will be home to the organization’s 15th franchise. This comes after the WNBA’s social media team teased an expansion team announcement on Tuesday and several weeks after Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report reported that the city was securing a team.
This is also a tremendous turn of events after Portland was reportedly “deferred” from consideration over renovation concerns at the Moda Center last year. Portland will begin play during the 2026 season (along with the WNBA’s Toronto expansion team) and will be owned and operated by RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal.
PORTLAND, OREGON 📍 #WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/SZlvcHn42H
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 18, 2024
The @WNBA's 15th team calls the Rose City home.
🌹🏀 #WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/7Qqf0igffW
— WNBA Portland (@wnbaportland) September 18, 2024
Of course, WNBA fans were totally stoked. Here’s how they reacted to the news:
IM CRYINGGJGJFJFJFJ your orders are wishes sab ❤️ https://t.co/yjXiEKvkGB pic.twitter.com/hJpiwyCc1R
— iz lvs ionescu ୨ৎ (@sunkisses4bella) September 18, 2024
🫡 https://t.co/SJrlDy0wTs pic.twitter.com/rC5h50FnX6
— RELMYERS.COM (@relmyers) September 18, 2024
I USED TO PRAY FOR TIMES LIKE THIS https://t.co/9T3rx9Kxbv
— evanem (@evanempdx) September 18, 2024
Another Portland/Seattle rivalry in pro sports pic.twitter.com/eEHsUfJpsb https://t.co/1yQDBR8ejY
— Shezza (@ShezzaIsBack) September 18, 2024
You know exactly what the name should be 🏀🔥 pic.twitter.com/4kCreRIE6e
— EZ (@ErikZarins) September 18, 2024
BOOM‼️ Good mornin… 🎶 💃🏽 🤸🏽♀️ 🥳🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡 pic.twitter.com/7matDrVsUA
— ChristyWintersScott51 (@Christy51WScott) September 18, 2024
