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Fox News
a day ago
- Business
- Fox News
Portland WNBA franchise returns with revived name and will begin play in 2026
Sometimes, moving forward means going back in time, and that's exactly what the WNBA's Portland expansion franchise did this week. The WNBA announced Tuesday that the expansion franchise will be named the Portland Fire, reprising the name from the previous WNBA franchise that played in Portland from 2000 to 2002. "Our feeling is that the Fire never died," interim Fire president Clare Hamill said. "Fans have been waiting for us to come back, and we're back with the Portland Fire." In addition to the name, the team has a new "Rose on Fire" logo and a color palette of red, brown, blue and pink. "As a city that has long championed women's sports, Portland is ready to reclaim its place in the WNBA and reignite its connection to the game on the world stage," Hamill said in a statement. "We are thrilled to complete the journey of bringing professional women's basketball back to the Rose City, while honoring the legacy of the original franchise to blaze a new, bold path forward." Portland was awarded a WNBA team in September. The team is run by Raj Sports, which also owns the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League. The Fire and the Thorns will share a new joint training complex in the first such partnership between the two women's leagues. The Fire have already sold more than 11,000 season tickets for the 2026 season, surpassing the WNBA's previous best. The team will play at the Moda Center, where the original Fire averaged about 8,000 fans a game. The Fire are not the only team the WNBA is introducing to the league next season. The Toronto Tempo will also begin play in 2026. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
CBC
a day ago
- Business
- CBC
Expansion WNBA team brings back original Portland Fire name
Oregon's WNBA team stepped back in time for its new name, reintroducing the Portland Fire. The expansion franchise, which begins play next season along with the Toronto Tempo, announced its name and branding on Tuesday, reviving the moniker of the city's previous WNBA team that played from 2000 to 2002. "Our feeling is that the fire never died," interim Fire president Clare Hamill said. "Fans have been waiting for us to come back, and we're back with the Portland Fire." In addition to the name, the team has a new "Rose on Fire" logo and a colour palette of red, brown, blue and pink. Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft who died in 2018, was chairman of the original Fire and the two teams played at the Rose Garden, now the Moda Center. The NBA owned the WNBA teams until 2002, then sold them to affiliated NBA teams or independent owners. Allen declined to buy the Fire and the team folded. Portland was awarded a new WNBA team last September. The team is run by Raj Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, who also own the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League. They paid $125 million US for the WNBA franchise. The Fire and Thorns will share a new joint-training facility in the first such partnership between the two women's leagues. The Fire already have sold more than 11,000 season tickets, surpassing the WNBA's previous best. The team will play at the Moda Center, where the original Fire averaged some 8,000 fans a game. Team president left team in June But the launch of the team hasn't been smooth. Indications the team planned to return to the Fire name were previously revealed when a local publication, the Rose Garden Report, published the team's trademark application. The team's president, Inky Son, parted ways with the team late last month after less than three months on the job. Son was announced as the first employee of the team in early April, tasked with leading all aspects of the business, including marketing, ticket and sponsorship sales, and community relations. The Tempo, meanwhile, announced a team name back in December and already have a general manager. Hamill, a former Nike executive, took over for Son until a permanent president can be found. She said the launch of the team name and logo is just a slice of what the team is activating on Tuesday. "We're pointing everybody to the launch and the pace at which we're moving, and just giving everyone confidence that we have our arms around it," Hamill said. "We're moving fast, and you're going to hear from us a lot." The team planned to celebrate the name and logo launch with a community party on Tuesday afternoon at the Moda Center. Meet Monica Wright Rogers, the GM of the WNBA's newest team, the Toronto Tempo 5 months ago The newly hired Tempo general manager talks goals for the 2026 WNBA season and how she plans to build a championship-winning team.
National Post
a day ago
- Business
- National Post
Expansion WNBA team brings back the original Portland Fire name
Oregon's WNBA team stepped back in time for its new name, re-introducing the Portland Fire. Article content The WNBA expansion franchise, which begins play next next season along with the Toronto Tempo, announced its name and branding on Tuesday — reviving the moniker of the city's previous WNBA team that played from 2000 to 2002. Article content 'Our feeling is that the fire never died,' interim Fire president Clare Hamill said. 'Fans have been waiting for us to come back, and we're back with the Portland Fire.' Article content In addition to the name, the team has a new 'Rose on Fire' logo and a color palette of red, brown, blue and pink. Article content Article content Welcome the Portland Fire Tip-off in 2026. — WNBA (@WNBA) July 15, 2025 Article content Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft who passed away in 2018, was chairman of the original Fire and the two teams played at the Rose Garden, now the Moda Center. Article content The NBA owned the WNBA teams until 2002, then sold them to affiliated NBA teams or independent owners. Allen declined to buy the Fire and the team folded. Article content Portland was awarded a new WNBA team last September. The team is run by Raj Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, who also own the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League. They paid $125 million for the WNBA franchise. Article content The Fire and the Thorns will share a new joint-training facility in the first such partnership between the two women's leagues. Article content The Fire have already sold more than 11,000 season tickets, surpassing the WNBA's previous best. The team will play at the Moda Center, where the original Fire averaged some 8,000 fans a game. Article content But the launch of the team hasn't been smooth. Indications that the team planned to return to the Fire name were previously revealed when a local publication, the Rose Garden Report, published the team's trademark application. Article content The team's president, Inky Son, parted ways with the team late last month after less than three months on the job. Son was announced as the first employee of the team in early April, tasked with leading all aspects of the business, including marketing, ticket and sponsorship sales, and community relations. Article content The Toronto Tempo, meanwhile, announced a team name back in December and have already hired a general manager. Article content Hamill, a former Nike executive, took over for Son until a permanent president can be found. She said the launch of the team name and logo is just a slice of what the team is activating on Tuesday. Article content 'We're pointing everybody to the launch and the pace at which we're moving, and just giving everyone confidence that we have our arms around it,' Hamill said. 'We're moving fast, and you're going to hear from us a lot.' Article content
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Expansion WNBA team brings back the original Portland Fire name
Published Jul 15, 2025 • Last updated 5 minutes ago • 2 minute read FILE - The WNBA logo is seen near a hoop before an WNBA basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena, Tuesday, May 14, 2019, in Uncasville, Conn. Photo by Jessica Hill / AP Oregon's WNBA team stepped back in time for its new name, re-introducing the Portland Fire. The WNBA expansion franchise, which begins play next next season along with the Toronto Tempo, announced its name and branding on Tuesday — reviving the moniker of the city's previous WNBA team that played from 2000 to 2002. 'Our feeling is that the fire never died,' interim Fire president Clare Hamill said. 'Fans have been waiting for us to come back, and we're back with the Portland Fire.' In addition to the name, the team has a new 'Rose on Fire' logo and a color palette of red, brown, blue and pink. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft who passed away in 2018, was chairman of the original Fire and the two teams played at the Rose Garden, now the Moda Center. The NBA owned the WNBA teams until 2002, then sold them to affiliated NBA teams or independent owners. Allen declined to buy the Fire and the team folded. Portland was awarded a new WNBA team last September. The team is run by Raj Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, who also own the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League. They paid $125 million for the WNBA franchise. The Fire and the Thorns will share a new joint-training facility in the first such partnership between the two women's leagues. The Fire have already sold more than 11,000 season tickets, surpassing the WNBA's previous best. The team will play at the Moda Center, where the original Fire averaged some 8,000 fans a game. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But the launch of the team hasn't been smooth. Indications that the team planned to return to the Fire name were previously revealed when a local publication, the Rose Garden Report, published the team's trademark application. The team's president, Inky Son, parted ways with the team late last month after less than three months on the job. Son was announced as the first employee of the team in early April, tasked with leading all aspects of the business, including marketing, ticket and sponsorship sales, and community relations. The Toronto Tempo, meanwhile, announced a team name back in December and have already hired a general manager. Hamill, a former Nike executive, took over for Son until a permanent president can be found. She said the launch of the team name and logo is just a slice of what the team is activating on Tuesday. 'We're pointing everybody to the launch and the pace at which we're moving, and just giving everyone confidence that we have our arms around it,' Hamill said. 'We're moving fast, and you're going to hear from us a lot.' The team planned to celebrate the name and logo launch with a community party on Tuesday afternoon at the Moda Center. Toronto & GTA Editorial Cartoons Columnists NFL NHL
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Reviving the flame: Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA's 15th team
A flame is being reignited for Portland's new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday, the league's 15th team announced it will be called the Portland Fire, reviving the name of the city's original franchise from 2000 to 2002. '(That) is an important heritage,' Fire interim president Clare Hamill told The Athletic. 'The opportunity to bring the Portland Fire back, reborn, was 100 percent — creatively and for the brand and for fans — the way to go.' Advertisement The Fire also unveiled branding, featuring an updated logo that draws from the city's roots while reflecting a new era. The WNBA awarded Portland a franchise in September, and it will begin its inaugural season in 2026 amid a wave of league expansion. The Portland team worked with the creative agency Adopt to form its creative identity. It will utilize a red, brown, blue and pink color palette. The logo includes a rose in its Fire emblem, a nod to Portland's moniker as Rose City, and the 12 bridges that connect the city from east to west were inspiration for the team's wordmark. The team said the top of its 'P' logo references the silhouette of Mount Hood, Oregon's highest point. 'I kinda got chills watching the (design) presentation,' said Hamill, who was a fan of the previous Portland Fire and has been a four-decade Oregon resident. 'I think the fans will connect both with the heritage and the depth of the branding, the logo and the storytelling around Portland.' Hamill joined the organization at the end of June after the franchise abruptly parted ways with Inky Son, who had been hired as its original team president and served in the role for three months. Hamill said she was contacted about three weeks ago. The new franchise, Hamill said, considered names other than the Fire. The original Fire, which was previously led by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, failed to make the playoffs in any of its seasons and folded due to financial losses. Its latest iteration is led by RAJ Sports partners Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, who also own the NWSL's Portland Thorns. They were awarded the expansion team after a bid from another businessman was considered but ultimately fell apart at the 11th hour. Hamill, who worked for Nike at the time, attended the initial team announcement as a fan. Her title suggests she is in a temporary position, but she doesn't see herself as merely a placeholder. 'I've jumped in fully committed,' Hamill said. 'I don't see it as a stopgap, short-term thing. I'd be happy if I were here in three years. That sounds great to me.' Merchandise with the new logo went on sale shortly after it was unveiled, and the team has surpassed more than 10,000 season-ticket deposits. Still, the newly-named Fire has several questions. Hamill said the general manager search is ongoing, and there is no timeline for a hire. League sources told The Athletic late last month that they were in the process of hiring a general manager under Son, and it is unclear how the team president change has impacted the search. Advertisement 'It's a deep search, a lot of thought going into it. Well along its way,' Hamill said. 'I think it's obviously a super important hire.' In February, RAJ Sports unveiled plans for a $150 million campus for the Fire and Thorns. The project will repurpose an existing suburban office complex near Portland, previously occupied by Nike. However, the facility will be completed in phases, a team spokesperson told The Athletic. The spokesman said the first phase — a $75 million investment — will be ready by the start of the 2026 NWSL and WNBA seasons. Hamill said she looks forward to continuing to help the franchise build a connection with fans. 'We're moving and feel good about where we are,' Hamill said. 'We're going to work to build an incredible brand that wins the hearts of Portlanders (and) inspires the city.' The Fire will join the Toronto Tempo as 2026 expansion teams. They follow the Golden State Valkyries, who are competing in their first season. The WNBA recently announced that it will add three more expansion teams in the next five years, launching franchises in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030). (Top photo of logo courtesy of Portland Fire)
