Portland’s WNBA expansion franchise, the Fire, ranks fourth in the league with an average attendance of about 14,500 fans per game at the Moda Center. The strong turnout for the reborn franchise reflects the city’s deep-rooted history of supporting women’s sports across professional and collegiate levels, matching numbers drawn only by the Golden State Valkyries, the New York Liberty, and the Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever.
Portland Fire Attendance and Arena Atmosphere at the Moda Center
On game days, the franchise brands the Moda Center as the “Fire Pit,” incorporating pyrotechnics into team introductions to match the motif. Fire coach Alex Sarama noted the local community’s commitment to creating a vibrant home-court advantage. “I think we’ve just been so fortunate, to be honest, all year to have such an amazing atmosphere here at the Fire Pit,” Sarama said. Center Megan DiLeo described the crowds as a vital asset on the court. “We have some of the loudest fans in the WNBA,” DiLeo said. “And they’re really like our sixth man, to be honest.”
Did you know? Megan DiLeo’s corgi, Pancake, has developed a distinct social media following and inspired a children’s book titled Pancake’s Passport, detailing the pet’s travels.
Historical Roots of Women’s Sports Fandom in Portland
The city’s enthusiasm for women’s athletics predates the current WNBA expansion. For many years, the University of Portland’s soccer program led the nation in collegiate attendance, driven by national championships in 2002 and 2005 alongside standout players like Christine Sinclair and Megan Rapinoe. Furthermore, the Portland Thorns debuted as a founding member of the National Women’s Soccer League in 2013, consistently maintaining high attendance figures within that league. The local sports culture also includes the Sports Bra, which opened in 2022 as the nation’s first women’s sports bar.
Ownership Investment and Training Facilities by Raj Sports
Portland’s previous WNBA venture, also named the Fire, played from 2000 to 2002 under the ownership of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, averaging roughly 8,600 fans per game in 2001. That iteration folded in 2002 when the NBA sold its teams and Allen declined to purchase the franchise, despite stable attendance. The current franchise arrived after Lisa Bhathal Merage and her brother, Alex Bhathal, operating under Raj Sports, acquired the NWSL’s Thorns for $63 million in 2024 and subsequently secured a WNBA expansion team later that year. Raj Sports funded a joint basketball-soccer training facility—the first of its kind in women’s sports—scheduled to open in August.
Roster Performance and the Constraints-Led Approach
Playing under the “Fire Reignited” banner, the expansion roster holds a 13-19 record, placing ninth overall in the league standings. Guard Carla Leite averages 15.5 points and 6.2 assists per game, while Bridget Carleton—the team’s initial pick in the expansion draft—contributes 14.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. The lineup faced a setback following a season-ending ACL injury to guard Sarah Ashlee Barker. Head coach Alex Sarama, previously an assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers, implements a training philosophy known as the Constraints-Led Approach, replacing traditional repetitive drills with problem-solving scenarios designed to foster development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average attendance for the Portland Fire?
The Portland Fire average approximately 14,500 fans per game, ranking fourth in the WNBA.
Who owns the Portland Fire?
The franchise is operated by Raj Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal.
What coaching method does Alex Sarama use?
Coach Alex Sarama utilizes the Constraints-Led Approach, prioritizing situational problem-solving over standard repetitive drills.
When did Portland’s previous WNBA team play?
The original Portland Fire franchise competed from 2000 to 2002 before folding when the league restructured ownership.
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