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What was Portland Fire's record in the WNBA? Closer look at city's first team in the league
The Portland Fire were one of the few WNBA teams that didn't stand the test of time, folding in 2002 after three seasons. They joined the league as part of one of its first four expansions in June 1999.
The Portland Trail Blazers' former owner, Paul Allen, founded the Portland Fire as a sister franchise to the Blazers. Vanessa Nygaard led the team in her days as a basketball player. The Fire had a rough first season in the league and had a 10-22 record, failing to make the playoffs.
A wave of change arrived at the franchise in 2001 when the Fire drafted Jackie Stiles as the fourth overall pick in the 2001 WNBA draft. Stiles won the Rookie of the Year award in the same season. However, she suffered a serious injury that kept her out for most of the season.
The Fire had an 11-21 season and failed to make the playoffs again. The situation at the franchise's front office was not great, too, as Paul Allen underwent a financial crisis. The 2002 season was the Portland Fire's final and most improved season in the W.
They ended the season with a 16-16 record but failed to make the playoffs again. Allens' continued financial problems forced him to shut down the franchise. The Fire was the only WNBA team to never make the playoffs.
WNBA awards Portland an expansion team
On Wednesday, the WNBA announced that Portland, Oregon, has been awarded the league's 15th franchise starting in 2026. RAJ Sports' Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage will own and manage the Portland team.
"As the WNBA builds on a season of unprecedented growth, bringing a team back to Portland is another important step forward. ... 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," league commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.
The new team will play at the Moda Center and mark Portland's return after 20 years.
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