Portland Lands New WNBA Expansion Franchise

Portland Welcomes A New WNBA Team

Portland has been awarded a new WNBA expansion franchise starting play in 2026. This will be the league's first expansion since 2020 when the Dallas Wings relocated from Tulsa.

The new team will play its home games at the Moda Center, which is also home to the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. The team will be owned by a group led by local businesswoman Jody Allen.

The WNBA is the world's leading professional basketball league for women. The league was founded in 1997 and currently consists of 12 teams.

A Major Victory for Portland

The awarding of a WNBA expansion franchise to Portland is a major victory for the city. It will bring a new professional sports team to the city and help to further boost the city's economy.

The new team will also provide a much-needed boost to women's sports in Portland. The city is home to a number of successful women's sports teams, including the Portland Thorns of the NWSL and the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL.

The Future of the WNBA

The expansion of the WNBA to Portland is a sign of the growing popularity of women's basketball. The league has seen a surge in attendance and TV viewership in recent years.

The new team in Portland will help to further grow the league and provide more opportunities for women to play professional basketball.