PORTLAND, Ore. — Following the electric atmosphere of the Portland Fire launch party, the city’s new WNBA team continued its momentum with a powerful WNBA Fireside Chat—one of the signature events during Epicenter Week, a city-wide celebration of women’s sports.
The conversation brought together key figures shaping the Fire’s future, including Portland Fire Team President Clare Hamill, RAJ Sports Co-Founder Lisa Bhathal Merage, WNBA All-Star and international champion Michelle Snow, and WNBA Champion and former WNBPA President Olympia Scott.
The event offered a behind-the-scenes look at the vision and strategy behind bringing the WNBA back to Portland—and the deeper meaning behind it. It also doubled as a platform to engage directly with the community on what the return of professional women’s basketball truly represents for the region.
“We all have a vision to make Portland the epicenter of women’s sports,” said Fire President Clare Hamill. “We have a big opportunity with the Fire. We can do things in Portland that no other franchise can do.”
That sentiment was echoed by Lisa Bhathal Merage, Co-Founder of RAJ Sports, who made her first public comments since the official team name and identity were unveiled. “It’s what we are doing in women’s sports to put Portland on the map globally,” she said. “It’s not about us, it’s about the community—it’s about Portland.”
The team’s mission is clear: to turn Portland into a global capital for women’s sports. Central to that goal is a massive $150 million training facility set to be built west of the city. The facility marks the first joint investment between two major women’s sports leagues and serves as a bold statement about the Fire’s long-term vision—not just for basketball, but for the broader ecosystem of women’s athletics.
Former WNBA players also took the stage to reflect on what makes Portland uniquely suited to host a WNBA team again.
“I think Portland fans are different in the fact that they know how to do this,” said Michelle Snow. “They know how to create those environments that are difficult to play in.”
That fanbase—and its passion—is already showing. The Fire have collected over 12,500 ticket deposits, a staggering figure that places Portland on pace to surpass the newly launched Golden State Valkyries in early support.
Another powerful advantage the Fire hold? The depth of WNBA experience already embedded in the local community. More than 60 former WNBA players live in Oregon, many of whom are part of the WIN (Women In Nike) program—a pipeline created to support former athletes in post-playing careers at Nike. That initiative was spearheaded by none other than Clare Hamill.
The Fireside Chat was more than a panel—it was a statement. A statement that Portland is not just ready for the WNBA again, but ready to set the new standard.
As Epicenter Week continues, one thing is clear: the fire is lit in Portland—and it’s not going out anytime soon.