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 Policies812Have 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/yxyd430.html
Related articles
Cowboys vs. Chargers prediction, odds, time, line: 2024 NFL preseason Week 3 picks by expert on 23
WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per reportCowboys vs. Chargers prediction, odds, time, line: 2024 NFL preseason Week 3 picks by expert on 23-7...
Read more
Former Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick quits new team ahead of Week 2
WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per reportFormer Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick quits new team ahead of Week 2Mike Moraitis...
Read more
Multiple Red Sox call out Gerrit Cole for hitting, intentionally walking Rafael Devers
WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per reportMultiple Red Sox call out Gerrit Cole for hitting, intentionally walking Rafael DeversMike Masala...
Read more
Top Article
- Satou Sabally's career
- What time is the NFL game tonight? TV schedule, channel for Eagles vs. Falcons in Week 2
- Bears vs. Texans Week 2 odds, picks, predictions, expert betting tips for Sunday Night Football
- NFL Week 2 expert picks: Advice for pick'em & confidence pools
- Saints' Derek Carr fined $14,000 for inappropriate TD celebration vs. Cowboys, per report
- Maryland hires Brian Ferentz: Ex
Latest News
Former WNBA All
NWSL club Chicago Red Stars find solution to avoid being booted from home stadium for concert
Las Vegas Raiders land star pass rusher in trade proposal by NFL analyst
College football end
Bears get burned on new kickoff with bizarre fumble that leads to Titans field goal
Bears' 'biggest weakness' could worsen with talented LG predicted to bolt for Ravens