During the years 2000 to 2002, the Fire represented Portland in the WNBA, along with teams like Indiana Fever, Miami Sol, and Seattle Storm.
Operating in a time when WNBA teams were still navigating the league, the Fire looked to their NBA counterparts for guidance, under the ownership of Paul Allen, who also owned the Portland Trail Blazers.
Due to a lack of talent influx from the expansion draft, the Fire struggled in their first season, with a 10-22 record. This led to them selecting Jackie Stiles in the 2001 WNBA Draft.
Reflecting on her time with the Fire, Stiles praised the energized atmosphere and incredible support from the Portland community.
In the following seasons, the Fire showed slow progress, with Stiles standing out as a bright star despite injuries and limited playing time.
Stiles recalled a humorous incident involving a limo trip to Wendy’s during a road trip with her teammates.
Ultimately, the Fire struggled financially, leading to no playoff appearances and eventual closure as Paul Allen decided not to continue funding the team.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Portland WNBA team in 2026 has the opportunity to learn from past mistakes and honor the legacy of those who laid the groundwork, like the Fire.
Excited about Portland’s new team, Stiles looks forward to the growth of women’s basketball in the city.
While the Fire may not have left a lasting legacy, it would be meaningful for the new franchise to acknowledge and honor their contributions to Oregon’s women’s basketball history.
