Portland Fire

What Portland Fire does

Portland Fire is a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) expansion franchise that began play in 2026 as the league's 15th team, reviving the Portland Fire name used by an earlier WNBA franchise from 2000 to 2002. The team plays home games at Portland's Moda Center and is owned by RAJ Sports, the parent entity of Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, which also controls the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The legal entity operating the franchise is PCS Basketball, LLC, incorporated in California with corporate headquarters in Newport Beach, while operational headquarters sit at the Moda Center in the Rose Quarter. The franchise secured the first overall pick in the WNBA expansion draft (Bridget Carleton) and assembled an international roster featuring players from France, Canada, and Australia. Governance is led by President Clare Hamill, GM Vanja Černivec (previously with the Golden State Valkyries), Head Coach Alex Sarama (hired from the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers and named WNBA Coach of the Month for May 2026), and VP of Basketball Operations Ashley Battle (formerly of the Boston Celtics/Maine Celtics system). The club is privately held with no disclosed venture capital or private equity backing.

The team's product surface centers on live basketball entertainment monetized through single-game tickets sold via Ticketmaster, season memberships, mini-plans, premium seating, and suites at Moda Center. Direct-to-consumer revenue is augmented by Portland Fire+, a streaming platform launched April 9, 2026 in partnership with Kiswe, priced at $5.99 monthly or $59.99 annually, offering live game streaming plus original episodic series, player features, and behind-the-scenes content. Merchandise is distributed through portlandfireteamshop.com and in-arena at Moda Center, while additional revenue is generated through regional broadcast partnerships with Gray Media's KPDX (Fox 12 Plus), Audacy Portland radio, and the jointly created Rose City Sportsnet network, alongside a layered roster of corporate sponsors including Kaiser Permanente, Lashify, Toyota, Old Trapper, Alaska Airlines, Spirit Mountain Casino, and Nuna.

Portland Fire's go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer ticket and streaming sales with a community-led engagement model. The Ember Circle fan-membership program, Her Voice Council advisory group, and EmpowHER Awards events anchor community-driven growth aimed at women and girls in sports, while themed promotional nights (Pride Celebration, PDX Summer Nights, AAPI Heritage Night, Latine Heritage Night, Hood to Coast Night, Sneakerheads Night) drive single-game attendance. The franchise will share the 100,000-square-foot, $150 million Kaiser Permanente Performance Center with the Portland Thorns beginning August 2026, representing the first dual-sport performance center for professional women's teams in the United States. Performance and demand signals during the inaugural season include a record-breaking 19,335 first-game attendance at the Moda Center on May 9, 2026, 15,000+ season-ticket deposits secured pre-season, and the team's first regular-season victory on May 12, 2026 (98-96 over the New York Liberty on a buzzer-beater by Sarah Ashlee Barker).

Name

Portland Fire

Legal name

PCS Basketball, LLC

Website

https://fire.wnba.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Portland Fire is the WNBA's 15th expansion franchise, debuting in 2026 at Portland's Moda Center under RAJ Sports ownership. Revenue streams include ticket sales, the Portland Fire+ streaming platform, merchandise, regional broadcasting, and corporate sponsorships serving Portland-area fans and brand partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Sports Franchise (Women's Basketball)

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Other Spectator Sports (711219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAFADAB

Esports Teams & Player Organizations

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Gaming & Interactive Entertainment (Video Games, Esports)/Esports Leagues, Teams & Tournament Operators

SECONDARYMPAKANAC

Franchise-Based Esports Leagues

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Esports Competitions & Events

SECONDARYMPAKAKAJ

Sports Community Relations & Grassroots Program Management

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Management & Promotion Services

Keywords

• Professional basketball team
• WNBA franchise operations
• Sports ticket sales
• Live sports streaming
• Team merchandise sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue through single-game tickets via Ticketmaster, season memberships, mini-plans, and premium seating options including suites. Second half memberships available starting at $20/game.
2. Streaming Subscription: Portland Fire+ direct-to-consumer streaming platform priced at $5.99/month or $59.99 annually, providing live games and exclusive team content.
3. Merchandise and Apparel: Official team shop selling jerseys, apparel, and merchandise through portlandfireteamshop.com and in-arena at Moda Center.
4. Broadcasting Rights: Regional broadcast rights with Gray Media's KPDX (Fox 12 Plus), radio partnership with Audacy Portland, and creation of Rose City Sportsnet network.
5. Sponsorship and Partnerships: Multi-year partnerships including Spirit Mountain Casino as partner, Old Trapper as Exclusive Beef Jerky sponsor, Kaiser Permanente as medical provider and facility naming rights, and various marquee and official partner designations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Portland Fire operates a professional women's basketball franchise competing in the WNBA at Portland's Moda Center. Its core commercial offerings include live game ticketing (single-game, mini-plans, and season memberships), the Portland Fire+ direct-to-consumer streaming subscription, official team merchandise and apparel, regional broadcast rights, and corporate sponsorship inventory. The franchise supplements game-day operations with community programs such as the Her Voice Council advisory group and the EmpowHER Awards.

Product overview

The Portland Fire operates a core direct-to-consumer streaming platform called Portland Fire+ (built in partnership with Kiswe), supplemented by ticket sales, official merchandise, and community programs. The team also participates in WNBA regular-season competition and the Commissioner’s Cup in-season tournament. Community engagement is delivered through the Her Voice Council advisory group and the EmpowHER Awards program. Live games are available via Portland Fire+ streaming, regional broadcast on FOX 12 Plus, and single-game tickets sold through Ticketmaster.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WNBA Game Tickets and Season Memberships
• Portland Fire+ Streaming Platform
• Portland Fire Official Merchandise and Team Shop
• Ember Circle Fan Membership Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Record-breaking 19,335 first-game attendance (WNBA record)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Alaska AirlinesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 May 2026Official airline partner of Portland Fire. Partners with Moda Center and Rose Quarter for travel information for out-of-town fans.
• ToyotacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 May 2026PDX Summer Nights presented by Toyota includes bandana giveaway for first 5,000 fans. Partnership supporting theme night events and fan engagement activities.
• Portland State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026Training camp partnership with Portland State University providing practice facilities and academic collaboration opportunities.
• LashifycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 April 2026Named Marquee Jersey and Official Eyelash Partner of the Portland Fire. Premier sponsorship designation with jersey association and branding presence.
• Audacy PortlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 April 2026Radio partnership with Audacy Portland for broadcast of Portland Fire and Portland Thorns games, extending reach to radio audiences in the Portland market.
• Spirit Mountain CasinocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 April 2026Multi-year partnership making Spirit Mountain Casino a partner of the Portland Fire WNBA team. Includes in-arena branding and fan engagement opportunities.
• NunaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 March 2026Named Official Baby Gear Partner of Portland Fire and Portland Thorns. Family-friendly partnership supporting parents and young families attending games.
• CLLCTminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 March 2026Groundbreaking partnership to build the category-defining home for women's sports collectibles in Portland. Creates unique collectibles and memorabilia offerings for fans.
• Gray Media (KPDX Fox 12 Plus)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 February 2026Multi-year media partnership establishing Fox 12 Plus as exclusive local broadcast home for Portland Fire and Portland Thorns. Raycom Sports produces game broadcasts including pregame and postgame shows. Part of broader Rose City Sportsnet network creation.
• KiswecoreTechnology or Integration · 24 February 2026Technology partnership to launch Portland Fire+ direct-to-consumer streaming platform offering live games, original series, player features, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Kiswe provides streaming technology infrastructure.
• Kaiser PermanenteflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 February 2026Kaiser Permanente named official medical provider and team physicians for both Portland Fire and Portland Thorns. Partnership anchored by the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center opening in 2026, the world's first dual-sport women's performance center. Provides integrated sports medicine, injury prevention, mental health support, and rehabilitation services.
• Portland Thorns (NWSL)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 February 2026Sister organization sharing the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center. First-of-its-kind dual-sport women's performance center. Joint training facility, broadcast deals (Fox 12 Plus, Audacy), radio partnerships, and community programs including Her Voice Council.
• Old Trapper Smoked ProductsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Multi-year partnership making Old Trapper the Exclusive Beef Jerky sponsor of Portland Fire. Includes in-arena branding, fan engagement opportunities, sponsorship of Portland Fire Autograph Zone, and game-day experiences.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Seattle Storm: The other Pacific Northwest WNBA team, also based in a top-25 US media market with deeply engaged women's sports fans. Seattle Storm is the most direct territorial peer given geographic proximity and shared Cascadia-region audience overlap with Portland Fire.
• Golden State Valkyries: The most recent WNBA expansion franchise prior to Portland Fire, which began play in 2025. Direct analog as a new WNBA franchise navigating launch-year operations, roster construction via expansion draft, and fan-building; very similar business model, league economics, and timing.
• Toronto Tempo: The WNBA's 2026 expansion franchise alongside Portland Fire, both debuting in the league's 30th season. Direct peer: matching expansion economics, shared inaugural-season operational playbook, expansion draft mechanics, and sponsorship market dynamics.
• Indiana Fever: A WNBA franchise that has experienced a recent surge in valuations, attendance, and sponsorship demand driven by the Caitlin Clark era. Closest analog for understanding what upside looks like when expansion-era demand meets star-driven fandom in a regional market.
• Las Vegas Aces: Recent multi-year WNBA champions and the league's benchmark for on-court dominance driving sustained ticket, sponsorship, and merchandise demand. Best-in-class peer for understanding revenue scale at the top of the WNBA.
• New York Liberty: WNBA franchise playing at a Barclays Center-scale venue with strong corporate and DTC streaming monetization. Comparable as a top-tier WNBA franchise balancing large-market economics with league salary cap structure.
• Los Angeles Sparks: Iconic WNBA franchise in a major media market with strong brand legacy. Useful peer for understanding how women's basketball brands monetize in coastal, large-media-market environments similar to Portland's positioning.
• Portland Thorns: Sister NWSL franchise owned by the same Bhathal family via RAJ Sports, sharing the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, broadcasting partnerships, and operational infrastructure. The most structurally comparable women's sports franchise by ownership, facility, and operational model.
• Angel City FC: NWSL franchise built from inception around high-profile ownership, DTC streaming (Angel City FC app and YouTube partnership), and community-led fan engagement — a comparable women's pro sports DTC and sponsorship playbook for Portland Fire's digital strategy.
• Chicago Sky: WNBA franchise in a major Midwest market with established arena economics at Wintrust Arena. Useful peer for benchmarking revenue diversification (tickets, broadcast, sponsorship, merchandise) against a comparable mid-tier WNBA market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theportlandfire
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ThePortlandFire
• Facebookfacebook.com/portlandfirewnba
• Instagraminstagram.com/portlandfirewnba
• TikToktiktok.com/@portlandfirewnba?lang=en&
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/portlandfirewnba

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Portland Fire