Portland’s incoming WNBA franchise has made a serious change on the high lower than a yr earlier than it takes the ground for the primary time.
Portland’s incoming WNBA franchise is blazing a brand new path.
The unnamed franchise introduced the departure of workforce president Inky Son this week, changing her with former Nike government Clare Hamill on an interim foundation.
“Throughout her temporary however impactful tenure, Son helped lay the inspiration for the franchise’s presence in Portland, shaping its early enterprise operations and neighborhood engagement efforts,” an announcement from dad or mum firm RAJ Sports activities, headed by siblings Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage, learn. “Son will return to New York, the place she was beforehand based mostly, and the group thanks her for her management throughout this vital section and desires her success in her subsequent chapter.”
Previous to her temporary Portland entry, Son beforehand held roles in each the Main League Baseball and Nationwide Basketball Affiliation gamers’ unions. Hamill ends a quick retirement upon her entry, having beforehand served in Nike’s affairs for over 4 many years.
Portland has but to fill its common supervisor and head teaching vacancies, lower than a yr earlier than its return to WNBA motion.
10K season ticket deposits made ✅
Portland, you probably did THAT. That is what neighborhood and exhibiting up for the way forward for girls’s sports activities appears like in our metropolis.
Be part of the motion: https://t.co/PfBqLBeCxx pic.twitter.com/9eKQbWmJKi
— WNBA Portland (@wnbaportland) June 26, 2025
The transfer leaves Portland and not using a full-time title within the major entrance workplace with the reveal of its franchise identification looming subsequent month. Rumors persist that the workforce, set to hitch the WNBA with the Toronto Tempo subsequent season, will resurrect the Portland Hearth branding over twenty years after the squad final took to Pacific Northwest hardwood.
Son’s exit lower than three months took the job ends a landmark week on a little bit of a bitter be aware: earlier this week, Portland introduced that it had reached over 10,000 season ticket deposits because it prepares for a return to Moda Middle, which beforehand housed the Hearth throughout its unique run (2000-02).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
