The WNBA’s 15th franchise formally introduced itself Tuesday as the Portland Fire, reviving the name of the city’s original team that played from 2000 to 2002. The identity, revealed on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” includes a “Rose on Fire” emblem, a color palette of red, brown, blue and pink, and a wordmark inspired by Portland’s 12 bridges and the silhouette of Mount Hood. Owned by RAJ Sports partners Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, the club will begin play in May 2026 at the Moda Center. Interim president and longtime Nike executive Clare Hamill said the organisation has already secured more than 10,000 season-ticket deposits, edging toward 11,000, and expects strong demand to continue ahead of the inaugural player draft next April. RAJ Sports paid an expansion fee of roughly $125 million when the league awarded Portland the franchise last September. The owners are also investing in a $150 million training campus that the Fire will share with the NWSL’s Portland Thorns; the first $75 million phase is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2026 season. Portland’s return comes amid a broader growth push by the league. The Fire will enter alongside the Toronto Tempo in 2026, with additional expansion teams slated for Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia by 2030 as the WNBA capitalises on rising interest and record attendance in women’s basketball.