Portland Fire

The Portland Fire operates as a professional women's basketball franchise within the Women's National Basketball Association, carrying a unique dual legacy that spans two distinct eras. The original team 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 squad drew average crowds over 8,000 but never found consistent success, posting a 37-59 record over three seasons before folding after 2002. This remains the only instance of a WNBA team ceasing operations without ever making a playoff appearance.

RAJ Sports officially revived the franchise in September 2024, paying a $50 million expansion fee to bring the name back for the 2026 season. Led by President Clare Hamill and head coach Alex Sarama, the new ownership prioritized international scouting and deep local engagement. The revived Fire has quickly built momentum in a city with proven passion for women's sports, sharing the Moda Center with the Trail Blazers and benefiting from a fanbase that supported the Portland Thorns to three NWSL titles. [bearbeiten]

Linda Hargrove served as both head coach and general manager for the original Portland Fire, leading 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 while averaging 14.9 points per game. Despite her individual success, the Fire finished 11-21, their best record, before the franchise folded after the 2002 season as a casualty of league-wide contraction.

The revival was announced in September 2024 when RAJ Sports paid a $50 million expansion fee to bring the team back. 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. A defining moment arrived in May 2026 when the Fire lost to the Washington Mystics 124-123 in quadruple overtime, tying the WNBA record for most overtimes in a single game. By late May, the Fire had posted multiple winning streaks, and Sarama earned Coach of the Month honors. The team also introduced high-profile entertainment, including a home opener halftime show by Grammy-winning artist Ashanti. [bearbeiten]