Commissioner: Consideration of WNBA expansion to Portland on hold

Portland’s bid for a WNBA expansion franchise has been delayed despite being considered as the leading candidate for the league’s next team.

Portland was widely seen to be moving forward as an expansion franchise, alongside Golden State, according to sources familiar with the matter, though no official plans had been confirmed. WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, had previously stated that the goal was to add two expansion franchises, including one for the 2025 season.

However, in a letter obtained by ESPN on Wednesday, Engelbert wrote to Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden explaining that the consideration of a WNBA franchise for Portland will be put on hold due to potential renovations of the Moda Center. The timeline and scope of the arena improvements need to be settled before the franchise discussion can proceed.

The Moda Center is home to the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. While the new WNBA team in Golden State will be owned by the NBA’s Warriors, the ownership group leading the proposed Portland franchise is reportedly led by local entrepreneur Kirk Brown.

Engelbert expressed support for eventually bringing a franchise to Portland, stating, “it became clear that Portland is an ideal destination for a WNBA franchise” and added, “when the time is right, we look forward to pursuing prospects for bringing the WNBA to Portland.”

Portland previously had a WNBA team called the Fire, which competed from 2000 to 2002.

Engelbert visited Portland in February for an event co-hosted by Wyden, which featured personnel from various sports teams, including the Trail Blazers, the NWSL’s Portland Thorns, and Oregon’s and Oregon State’s women’s basketball teams. This visit generated excitement and anticipation for the possibility of professional women’s basketball in Portland.

Wyden expressed his commitment to working with the people of Portland to bring a WNBA franchise to the city, stating, “Portland and all of Oregon have long proven to be a hotbed for women’s sports, and he has no doubt the WNBA would succeed here in a similar fashion.”