Portland WNBA franchise returns with revived name and will begin play in 2026

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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."

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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage pose for a photo during a news conference announcing Portland was awarded a WNBA expansion franchise Sept. 18, 2024, at the MODA Center in Portland, Ore.  (Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)

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."

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Jackie Stiles of the Portland Fire drives to the basket during a game against the Detroit Shock June 15, 2002, at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore.  (Sam Forencich/WNBAE/Getty Images)

Portland was awarded a WNBA team in September. The team is run by Raj Sports,