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Portland rejoiced as professional women’s basketball returned to the Rose City, with many believing this move would solidify the city’s standing as a leader in women’s sports.
New owners Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek all highlighted the significance of the new team’s arrival to women’s sports in the region.
Engelbert addressed an enthusiastic audience during Wednesday’s press conference, stating, “It seems to me that Portland has become an epicenter of women’s sports, and the people of Portland have established this city as a premier destination.”
From left, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Lisa Bhathal Merage, Alex Bhathal and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden at the announcement of a new Portland WNBA team at the Moda Center on Sept. 18, 2024.
Joni Land / OPB
The announcement coincides with the rising popularity of women’s sports, characterized by increased TV coverage and higher attendance.
Lauren Anderson, director of the University of Oregon’s Warsaw Sports Business Center, attributed this success to the longstanding groundwork laid in Oregon.
Both the Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers boast successful basketball programs, and the Portland Thorns soccer team enjoys one of the highest attendance rates in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Anderson stated that Portland’s reputation as a welcoming city and the lack of competing professional teams in Oregon make it an ideal environment for women’s sports.
The Portland Thorns celebrate their 2017 NWSL championship with fans at Providence Park on Oct. 15, 2017.
Bryan M. Vance / OPB
The Bhathals, owners of the Portland Thorns, acquired a new Portland WNBA team, solidifying their position in women’s sports in the region.
Oregon previously had a WNBA team in 2000 with the Portland Fire, which folded after three seasons. Anderson noted that the landscape of women’s sports has evolved significantly since then.
Anderson highlighted the success of The Sports Bra, a Portland bar exclusively dedicated to women’s sports, which has garnered national attention and plans for franchise expansion.
The Sports Bra, a Northeast Portland bar that only plays women’s sports on the screens, March 27, 2024. Jenny Nguyen opened the bar in 2022.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
Anderson concluded by stating that while Portland continues to set the pace for women’s sports nationally, many cities are not yet fully aware of the city’s influence in the industry.
She believes there is an opportunity for Portland to establish itself as a leader in women’s sports on a greater scale in the future.
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