WNBA Portland Expansion Team Tease July Reveal, 'The Countdown Is On ⏰'

A full reveal of Portland's WNBA expansion team appears to be coming very soon.

On Friday, the club's official X account posted "the countdown is on" with a date of July 15 in the graphic.

A team spokesperson also released a statement about the upcoming reveal: "The countdown is on. We’ll see you July 15!"

The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant reported Friday that the WNBA filed trademarks for both the name "Portland Fire" and a stylized "P" logo. The applications indicate the league could be bringing back the Fire name from the team that played from 2000-2002.

The WNBA officially announced in September 2024 that Portland would be the home city to the league's 15th team. The club will play its inaugural season in 2026.

Portland's franchise is part of the league's ongoing expansion. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters prior to the 2024 draft the goal was have 16 teams by 2028.

Philadelphia, Toronto, Nashville and South Florida were cited, along with Portland, by Engelbert at the time as potential expansion locations.

The Golden State Valkyries, who are in the midst of their inaugural season, became the league's 13th franchise.

The Toronto Tempo, the WNBA's first team outside of the United States, were revealed as the 14th team in May 2024. Their first season will also be in 2026.

This will mark the second WNBA franchise for Portland. The Fire played three seasons from 2000 to '02 with a 37-59 record and no playoff appearances before folding.

The club will be owned by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal of RAJ Sports, which also owns the Portland Thorns FC of the NWSL. They will play home games at Moda Center, home of the Portland Trail Blazers.