"His heart was always there in Portland, his family lives in Portland" - Kendrick Perkins believes Damian Lillard never 'mentally left' the Blazers originally appeared on Basketball Network.

July 15, 2025 (Portland, OR) – Today, Portland’s WNBA expansion team proudly unveils its new name and brand identity: the Portland Fire. Based in the global epicenter of women’s sports, the Portland Fire is rooted in the resilience, spirit, and passion for sport that defines the Rose City.

Portland is welcoming a new WNBA team in 2026 for the first time in more than 20 years, marking professional women's basketball's long-awaited return to Oregon. Portland Fire, whose name and logo were revealed July 15, is a nod back to the Rose City's former WNBA team, which played between 2000 and 2002.

Oregon’s WNBA team stepped back in time for its new name, reintroducing the Portland Fire. The expansion franchise, which begins play next next season alongside the Toronto Tempo, announced its name a

Don’t name your new WNBA team Portland Fire if you aren’t prepared to have your welcome party during a heat wave.

The wait is over! The Portland WNBA franchise announced its official team name ahead of a launch party Tuesday at Moda Center.