The WNBA has announced a new expansion team in Portland as the sport continues to enjoy a boom inspired by the likes of Caitlin Clark.
Women’s basketball has seen a huge spike in popularity and attendances thanks to the rise of star players including Clark and Angel Reese.
On Wednesday, the WNBA announced that a new team in Portland, Oregon would become the league’s 15th franchise.
The new team – whose name has yet to be confirmed – will begin playing in the WNBA from 2026.
It comes after the league expanded the league from 12 franchises with the Golden State Valkyries and a team in Toronto.
‘As the WNBA builds on a season of unprecedented growth, bringing a team back to Portland is another important step forward,’ WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said.
‘Portland has been an epicenter of the women’s sports movement and is home to a passionate community of basketball fans.’
The team will be owned and controlled by RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal.
Engelbert added: ‘Pairing this energy with the Bhathal family’s vision of leading top-flight professional sports teams will ensure that we deliver a premier WNBA team to the greater Portland area.’
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