Per the reports, Engelbert wrote that due to
"the potential renovation of the Moda Center currently
anticipated to take place during consecutive summers,
consideration of a WNBA franchise for Portland will be deferred
for now until the timing and scope of the arena improvements are
settled."
The commissioner reiterated that Portland is still viewed as "an
ideal destination for a WNBA franchise."
According to the Oregonian newspaper, Blazers chair Jody Allen
was willing to push back the Moda Center construction that had
been scheduled 2026-27 so a WNBA team could play several seasons
at the arena prior to a one-year temporary relocation.
ZoomInfo co-founder Kirk Brown was due to own the Portland WNBA
franchise.
Portland had a previous WNBA team, the Fire, from 2000-02.
The WNBA, currently with 12 teams, concluded its 2023 season
last month with the Las Vegas Aces beating the New York Liberty
three games to one in the Finals.
The Golden State Warriors will own an expansion team that is
scheduled to begin play in 2025 at the NBA's team arena in San
Francisco.
Portland had been expected to be the league's 14th club.
--Field Level Media
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