Portland’s WNBA franchise has moved from promise to upheaval in less than a quarter of a year. Just as the city was gearing up for its 2026 debut, the still-in-progress team has announced major news.
As per recent reports, Portland has fired its team president just two months into the office. This comes as a major blow for the team’s developing fan base. While they have already been in the mix over the team’s official name, the firing comes as yet another blow. All of this is too close before they make their WNBA debut.
Portland Fire Team President Inky Son After Just Two Months in Office
According to reports, franchise owners RAJ Sports announced the firing of team president Inky Son soon after her hiring on April 1. Her termination comes with less than a year until the team is set to debut in 2026.
Son, who was hired as the organization’s first employee in April after her role with the NBPA, lasted less than three months. RAJ Sports, the franchise’s owner, has not provided comments regarding her departure. Rumors suggest that significant challenges have plagued the organization. It includes delays in establishing a brand identity and the absence of a general manager.
Additionally, there appears to be a disconnect between the franchise’s ownership, located in Southern California, and the Portland community. Despite these issues, there is some positive news. The Portland franchise has received 10,000 season ticket deposits, reflecting strong initial interest from fans.
The team’s future may hinge on swift improvements, especially as they navigate their inaugural year. With much at stake, they would try their best to emulate the success of the Golden State Valkyries, the newest WNBA team.
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Portland Co-Owners Face Public Outrage Over Leaked Franchise Name
While the franchise promises to be another exciting addition to the league, Portland’s sibling co-owners are getting a bit of heat. The two siblings, Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, have been in the fans’ eyes for all the wrong reasons.
They recently faced a major backlash after the name ‘Portland Fire’ was leaked during trademark filings. This name belongs to the city’s original WNBA team that played from 2000 to 2002. And many fans believe it’s time for a fresh start with a new identity instead of revisiting the past.
Despite the early criticism, the franchise isn’t letting the name controversy overshadow its progress. Reports suggest that they might still go with ‘Portland Fire,’ just as a desire to honor the legacy of the former team while moving forward. Key appointments have already been made, and plans are underway for a few changes ahead.