Portland is back in the WNBA! While the excitement is palpable, for some, like former coach Lin Dunn, it's a feeling of 'thrilled, but not surprised' as professional women's basketball finds its footing in the city once more.
Lin Dunn, a seasoned consultant for the Indiana Fever at 78 years old, admits she doesn't typically travel for many WNBA games these days. However, the prospect of the revived Portland Fire hosting the Indiana Fever on May 30, 2026, might just tempt her to make an exception. "That may be one of the games that I do attend because I would love to come back to Portland," Dunn shared. "I would love to see the environment. I would love to, you know, be a part of doing anything I can to help that team get off the ground."
Dunn has deep roots in Portland's women's basketball history. In the late '90s and early 2000s, she was a pivotal figure, first coaching the Portland Power in the American Basketball League (ABL). When the ABL disbanded in 1998, she then transitioned to lead the Seattle Storm, transforming them into a WNBA powerhouse. Despite the Fire's hiatus since 2002, Dunn always believed in the city's potential for professional women's basketball. "I was thrilled, but not surprised," she stated. "I’ve always felt like Portland was a natural place to have a WNBA team."
But here's where it gets interesting... Portland's embrace of women's sports extends beyond basketball. With the recent arrival of a new professional softball team in 2026, Dunn sees a clear pattern. "I love the fact that there’s softball, soccer, women’s professional basketball, you know, they’re all embraced there in the Portland area," she observed. "So I think it’s great."
Dunn's initial arrival in Portland during the 1996 season saw the Power struggling with a 5-17 record. Despite coming from a coaching background predominantly in the South, she found a warm reception from Portland fans. "I love the city. I love the fans," she fondly recalled.
Over the subsequent two years, Dunn was instrumental in turning the Power's fortunes around, guiding them from a 14-26 record in 1996 to an impressive 27-17 the following season. The team was on a strong trajectory, holding a 9-4 record when the ABL folded in 1998. "Linda Weston did a hell of a job as the general manager. We had some great players, and we were on our way to go from worst to first," Dunn lamented. "And it was unfortunate that that season folded because I feel sure we would have won a championship."
While the Fire are still navigating collective bargaining negotiations, Dunn expressed her excitement about the addition of WNBA legend Sylvia Fowles as an assistant coach. "She’s one of the all-time greats in our game," Dunn said of the Hall of Famer. "Not only is she an awesome player, an Olympian, but she’s a wonderful person."
And this is the part most people miss... The return of the Fire in 2026 also signifies the rekindling of a passionate rivalry with Seattle. While soccer has kept the Portland-Seattle rivalry alive through the Timbers and Thorns, the basketball courts have been silent since the Seattle SuperSonics relocated in 2008. Dunn, having experienced this rivalry from both sides, believes fans are in for a treat. "It was awesome," she reminisced about the games. "You know, it was just a three-hour drive down the road. And the fans, they were passionate, both fans. The Seattle fans will always be one of my favorite groups, as well as the Portland fans."
What are your thoughts on Portland's return to the WNBA? Do you believe the city's history of supporting women's sports guarantees the Fire's success? Let us know in the comments below!
