Portland working to rekindle Fire brand for WNBA franchise
Sep 25, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; A general view of the WNBA ball during game two of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images The Portland Fire is set to burn bright in the WNBA again as the identity of the expansion team ready to debut in 2026 begins to take shape.
According to Front Office Sports, multiple trademark applications have been filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with the Portland Fire name.
The Fire originally made their debut in the Rose City in 2000, but folded after the 2022 season despite strong support. Portland's WNBA entry went 37-59 in its three seasons with its best campaign resulting in a 16-16 record just before folding.
"It was such a great franchise that was supported so well by the community," former Fire head coach Linda Hargrove told Front Office Sports.
Hargrove was the only head coach the Fire had in their three seasons.
The Golden State Valkyries are making their WNBA debut this season, while the Fire are set to return to the league, technically as an expansion team, alongside the new Toronto Tempo next season. That will give the league 15 teams, one shy of commissioner Cathy Engelbert's stated goal of 16 teams by 2028.
--Field Level Media
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