On July 15, 2025, Portland’s WNBA expansion franchise announced its return as the Portland Fire, reviving the name of the city’s original WNBA team (2000–2002). Set to debut in 2026 at the Moda Center, the Fire aim to ignite excitement in Portland, a city known for its passionate support of women’s sports.
The Fire name honors Portland’s WNBA history, despite the original team’s brief 37-59 run without playoffs. “The fire never died,” said interim president Clare Hamill. After community consultation, the franchise kept the name despite some concerns about its wildfire connotations, emphasizing its tie to Portland’s spirit.
The Fire’s “Rose on Fire” logo features a flaming rose, nodding to Portland’s Rose City nickname, with Mount Hood’s silhouette and the Moda Center’s roofline. The red, brown, blue, and pink color scheme reflects power and creativity. The design, crafted with Adopt agency, aligns with the Portland Thorns’ branding, owned by the same RAJ Sports group.
RAJ Sports, led by siblings Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, owns the Fire and Thorns. Awarded the WNBA’s 15th franchise in 2024, they plan a $150 million dual-sport performance center. Despite early leadership changes, the Fire have secured sponsors like Alaska Airlines and are on track for 2026, aiming to make Portland a women’s sports hub.
Portland Fire on X (formerly Twitter): “#PortlandFire #Reborn pic.twitter.com/STqE0fI9cF / X”
PortlandFire #Reborn pic.twitter.com/STqE0fI9cF
