The WNBA is bringing back a classic team name.
Portland’s expansion team will officially be named the Fire when it debuts for the 2026 season, the franchise announced Tuesday.
The Portland Fire was the name of the city’s last WNBA team from 2000 to 2002 before it folded.
The Fire will join the Toronto Tempo as the 14th and 15th franchises next season, followed by three more cities joining the league in upcoming years: Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030).
A bold brand identity was also revealed Tuesday along with the team name. The Fire will use red, brown, blue and pink as their primary colors. Take a look at the logo here:
Moda Center, home of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, will be the Fire’s home arena.
“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,” said Clare Hamill, the Portland Fire’s interim president. “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.”
This year, the Golden State Valkyries are taking the league by storm in their first year as an expansion franchise. The squad is 10-11 through mid-July, firmly in the mix to make the postseason in its first year.
Last year’s expansion draft took place in December, with just the Valkyries participating. This year will include the Fire and Tempo.
The Fire are owned by RAJ Sports and led by Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage.
Inky Son is out as team president of Portland’s WNBA expansion team after just three months, according to a report.