WNBA announces expansion from 2026 as team from Portland will become the 15th franchise that will be added to the league
The city of Portland today got exciting news as the WNBA announced that it will be home to the league’s 15th franchise. The new team is set to begin play in the 2026 season. It was also revealed that the Portland team will be owned and operated by RAJ Sports. It is led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal.
Fans will be excited about this news and the prospect of the WNBA growing. The latest news marked the third expansion thus expanding the league from 12 to 15 teams. The WNBA commissioner hopes to match the popularity the league has experienced this season by ensuring other cities get to experience the WNBA fever.
Further details revealed that the new team will play its home games at the Moda Center in downtown Portland, home of the Portland Trail Blazers. Interestingly, this new team marks the WNBA’s return to Portland after over 20 years. The previous team Portland Fire previously played in the league from 2000 to 2002.
https://firstsportz.com/wnba-announces-expansion-from-2026-as-team-from-portland-will-become-the-15th-franchise-that-will-be-added-to-the-league/