At Barry Manilow’s farewell tour stop at the Portland Moda Center on Wednesday, an Ida B Wells music teacher received $10,000 award from his foundation.

The team will play at the Moda Center, where the original Fire averaged some 8,000 fans a game. But the launch of the team hasn’t been smooth.

Oregon’s incoming WNBA team hosted a launch party at the Moda Center Tuesday as part of the rollout of the revival of the Portland Fire, the same name as the franchise that played from 2000-2002.

Oregon’s WNBA team stepped back in time for its new name, reintroducing the Portland Fire. The expansion franchise, which begins play next next season along with the Toronto Tempo, announced its ...

People attend a launch event announcing Portland Fire as the name of Portland's WNBA basketball franchise outside the Moda Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Portland, Ore.

Former WNBA player Olympia Scott greets fans during a launch event announcing Portland Fire as the name of Portland's WNBA basketball franchise at the Moda Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in ...

The Portland Fire logo is seen during a launching event for the name of Portland's WNBA basketball franchise outside the Moda Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane) ...

The Portland Fire are being reborn. The WNBA expansion franchise, which will enter the league in 2026, announced Tuesday it will reuse the name of the city's original entry into the league.