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 Policies36Have 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/zrtmk30.html
Related articles
Champions League winners: Man Utd, Liverpool or Real Madrid best?
WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per reportWho had the best Champions League-winning team? Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Does Barcel...
Read more
Devils sign coach Lindy Ruff to multi
WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per reportDevils sign coach Lindy Ruff to multi-year contract extension after first playoff appearance since 2...
Read more
Adam Johnson death: Matt Petgrave released on bail after being charged with manslaughter of ex
WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per reportAdam Johnson death: Matt Petgrave released on bail after being charged with manslaughter of ex-Pengu...
Read more
Top Article
- Brad Calipari joins Arkansas staff: John Calipari's son will work in on
- 2024 NBA Draft: Dalton Knecht, Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard top Big Board projecting best pro careers
- Hollywood derby drama: Brady’s Birmingham triumphs over Reynolds' Wrexham
- Washington to hire Pat Chun: Huskies poach Washington State AD for same role ahead of Big Ten move
- Kings' record
- Jalen Milroe's Heisman case: Alabama quarterback has big day in rout of Wisconsin
Latest News
WNBA expansion: Plans to bring team to Portland have collapsed, per report
College basketball transfer portal: Indiana landing guard Myles Rice was best fit of the weekend
Brad Calipari joins Arkansas staff: John Calipari's son will work in on
Devils sign coach Lindy Ruff to multi
Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston lead Fever to fourth
NHL, NHLPA exploring protective gear options after former Penguin Adam Johnson's tragic death