Present position:WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per report >>Text
WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per report
Credit Card Protection Policies19Have read
About WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per report Planned renovation...
WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per report
Planned renovations to the Moda Center cited by the league as a key issue
By Jack Maloney • 3 min readThe WNBA's plans to bring an expansion team to Portland have collapsed, according to The Oregonian, with the league citing planned renovations to the Moda Center as a key issues. Furthermore, there was uncertainty regarding a practice facility for the team, which would have begun play in 2025.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a letter to Oregon Senator Ron Wyden explaining the decision, and noting that the league still hopes to one day bring an expansion team to Portland. Engelbert's letter, in full:
Dear Senator Wyden
I was able to experience Oregon's passionate basketball community first-hand at that incredibly enthusiastic gathering of women's sports advocates that you pulled together last February at The Sports Bra in Portland. It became clear that Portland is an ideal location for a WNBA franchise. Since then, the league and a prospective local ownership group have been working with city and local officials to resolve issues related to the Moda Center.
However, in light of 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.
Thanks for the work you and Oregonians have done so far. When the time is right, we look forward to pursuing prospects for bringing the WNBA to Portland.
Per The Oregonian, the Portland Trail Blazers and owner Jody Allen were caught off guard by Engelbert's letter and had been willing to put off renovations to allow the prospective WNBA franchise to play there for multiple seasons before beginning the work. To that point, the Blazers' general plan to renovate Moda Center have been known for some time; if it was truly a major sticking point, how did the Blazers and Portland get this far down the line in the first place?
Portland entrepreneur Kirk Brown was leading the push to bring a team to the city but did not respond to requests for comment from The Oregonian. His current and potential future involvement is not known at this time. Early in October multiple reports suggested that a new team coming to Portland was "close to a done deal." Wyden's office issued a statement saying that he was "confident the scoreboard will end up with Portland winning that franchise."
Whether the two parties could eventually get negotiations back on track for the team, which will have an expansion fee of $50 million, remains to be seen. If not, the league will have to reopen their search.
Tags:
Reprinted :Welcome friends to share to the network, but please explain the source of the article“Credit Card Protection Policies”。http://aqntz.feilaokan.com/eqib230.html
Related articles
County Championship cricket: Pick your team of the 2024 season
WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per reportCounty Championship: Pick your team of 2024 seasonImage source, Rex FeaturesImage caption, Jordan Co...
Read more
Tyreek Hill detained: Attorney says Dolphins WR exploring litigation against 'overzealous officers'
WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per reportTyreek Hill detained: Attorney says Dolphins WR exploring litigation against 'overzealous officers'...
Read more
Coby Mayo promoted: Orioles' top prospect reaches base twice in his MLB debut against Guardians
WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per reportCoby Mayo promoted: Orioles' top prospect reaches base twice in his MLB debut against Guardians...
Read more
Top Article
- NCAA presents expanded basketball tournament models that could grow Big Dance to 72, 76 teams
- Week 2 NFL picks, predictions, best bets from Vegas expert: This 3
- Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois: Seven unforgettable nights when record crowds made boxing history
- Steelers training camp: Mike Tomlin reveals when Russell Wilson is expected to return to practice
- WNBA to begin using charter flights on full
- North Carolina moves on to Sweet 16, improves to 6
Latest News
DiJonai Carrington powering Connecticut Sun defense using faith, purpose to plow through pressure
Gerrit Cole becomes fourth active MLB pitcher to record 150 wins: How high could Yankees ace climb?
Three reasons why Jazz Chisholm's early Yankees success could last, especially at Yankee Stadium
Wild's Marc
LOOK: Fever's Caitlin Clark emphatically blocks child's shot attempt during charity event
Bobby Witt Jr.'s out