The WNBA has announced that Portland will be the latest city to join the league, launching its new team in 2026, which will increase the total number of franchises to 15.

Before this announcement, the league also confirmed new teams in the Bay Area, expected to start in 2025, and in Toronto in 2026.

The ownership for the Portland franchise will be headed by the Bhathal family, who recently acquired the Thorns for $63 million after the former owner, Merritt Paulson, faced backlash over an abuse scandal. Raj Bhathal is also a co-owner of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.

“As the WNBA continues its remarkable growth, introducing a team in Portland is a significant advancement,” said WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Portland has been a hub for women’s sports and boasts a dedicated community of basketball enthusiasts. Combining this enthusiasm with the Bhathal family’s vision for elite professional sports will ensure that we bring a top-tier WNBA team to the greater Portland area.”

Engelbert has indicated her goal is to eventually reach 16 teams, but the timeline for announcing the next team remains uncertain. Among the cities being considered for the 16th team are Boston, Philadelphia, Nashville, and Denver, among others; notably, the league had not expanded since 2008 until the Bay Area announcement last October.

Further information regarding the upcoming expansion drafts, anticipated to take place at the end of this year and next year, is yet to be revealed.

This WNBA season has seen an extraordinary surge in interest, particularly driven by standout rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who have contributed to breaking records in TV viewership, attendance, and merchandise sales. In July, the league announced an 11-year media rights deal worth approximately $2.2 billion.

Clark and her team, the Indiana Fever, have already qualified for the 2024 playoffs, marking Indiana’s first postseason appearance since 2016. Meanwhile, Reese’s Chicago Sky are battling for the final playoff position. On September 8, Reese announced that she would need surgery for a left wrist injury, sidelining her for the rest of the season. Clark is currently a strong contender for the 2024 Rookie of the Year award.

The WNBA is returning to Portland, a city it previously attempted to establish a franchise in. The Portland Fire participated in the league for three seasons from 2000 to 2002, finishing with a record of 37-59 but never reaching the playoffs.

However, the current sports landscape is markedly different. The NWSL’s Portland Thorns regularly attract sellout crowds and have been among the top teams in terms of attendance for many years. Additionally, neighboring universities Oregon and Oregon State have enthusiastic fan bases and have made appearances in the NCAA Final Four recently (Oregon in 2019 and Oregon State in 2016).

“For many years, Portland has been the hub of sports lifestyle, and now it’s becoming a leading center for women’s sports,” said Lisa Bhathal Merage in a statement. “We believe in the impactful nature of women’s sports and are excited for the WNBA to establish itself in Portland. We are confident that the vibrant, diverse communities in Portland will rally enthusiastically behind this team. Our goal is to develop this organization alongside the Portland community and we look forward to showcasing the world’s top women basketball players at the Moda Center in 2026.”

Nate Tibbetts, head coach of the Phoenix Mercury and former assistant with the Portland Trail Blazers, remarked that Portland is a fantastic basketball city and added, “It would be amazing to see a WNBA franchise here.”

Interest in women’s sports, especially women’s basketball, is surging nationwide. The NCAA women’s tournament and the WNBA have experienced significant increases in viewership in recent years, with millions tuning in to watch a new wave of talent. In February 2022, Engelbert announced a capital raise of $75 million, the largest in women’s sports history at that time. Those funds were intended to enhance marketing and elevate the league’s profile.

Interest from investors in women’s sports is also evident in the NWSL, which has expanded to 14 teams following the addition of franchises in the Bay Area and Utah this season, with plans for a new team in Boston starting in 2026.

The last expansion for the WNBA occurred in 2008 when the Atlanta team was added. Out of the initial eight teams that kicked off in 1997, only four remain: The New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, and Las Vegas Aces (originally known as the Utah Starzz and has since changed ownership).

Contact Lindsay Schnell  follow her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell