John - you are way underselling that the owner's sons are famous inventors. They created one of the greatest food staple for bachelors across the generations.
Please please please name this team: The Portland Hot Pockets, coached by Jim Gaffigan!
In all seriousness - this is awesome and long overdue.
Hot Pockets, like McNuggets and Uncrustables, have provided MANY parents with relief over the years. Unhealthy? Sure. But sometimes after you've put in a full shift getting yelled at by Old Man Spacely at the sprocket factory, the last thing you want to do is fix dinner.
50 years ago, the Athletic Director at Roseburg High School asked me if I could help out with the women's basketball team; he'd signed a young coach from Southern Oregon College and she had 50+ young women turn out. I wasn't a very good basketball coach, but it allowed me to learn more about the game. Now, both of my daughters who are old enough to have children of their own, played in High School. My wife and I live in Idaho, but we are following the NY Liberty via cable TV. We'll take in a game or two when we visit Portland to be with family.
Portland needs something like this. Not having another pro team like football or baseball has been hard on the area. But with the dramatic rise of the WNBA, this couldn’t come at a better time, for this state. Would love to see women’s professional basketball be successful, in Oregon, once again.
I think you misunderstood. I'm ok with it because it appears it can be done without subsidies that other alternatives would require such as MLB, NFL or hockey. Will need a practice facility...appears funded by owners... and can play in an existing facility with a reasonable payroll.
I’ll bet they use the Blazers’ facility in Tualatin. Plus, I believe Oregon needs something good to happen, and are willing to welcome sports into the community… maybe even spend some dollars to have it, even if it’s a distraction, and not just hearing about all the problems around us.
Portland perhaps. But, as far as Oregon, I doubt many folks from Roseburg, Bend, Medford, Klamath Falls, Pendleton will hope in their cars for a drive to Portland for the WNBA. Nor, would they want their tax dollars supporting it. If the expected owners have the dough, great.
I'm a Coug, but Scott Rueck is an absolute gem of a coach and it's nice to see Sydney Wiese back as an assistant. Tragic what NIL and realignment has done to the OSU program, and Aleah Goodman's mercenary ways (OSU to Duke to OSU to UW) are disappointing as well.
I don't begrudge the OSU players in making these decisions. They signed up to play in the PAC 12 with a certain level of competition. Talia for example enrolled at OSU early giving up a huge part of her HS experience. Everyone of those girls demonstrate far more class, sportsmanship and just so much more intelligence within the game and outside the game than you find in just about every other program. I think that is on Scott Rueck BUT coach is picking up what is already there in the players and in the FAMILY before the players arrive on campus.
well said! They left for many different reasons but they will not have Scott and the program he puts together!!! Don't be surprised to see OSU back in the top 25 in the next 12 to 24 months!!
John, as a dad of three daughters, this story just warms my heart. I would be lying if I said I'm not a teeny bit jealous of the sports relationship you have with them.....watching football, basketball and seeing their excitement grow in the WNBA. You already know that you and Anna will be expected to take them to every home game in 2026! LOL All the best!!!
This is great news on several fronts. The WNBA needs to expand, and Portland is a good market, one that will be receptive to the women's game. Portland needs a 2nd major sport franchise, and this is the most obvious one to add.
I'm a fan of women's college sports, as a dad of two daughters, I was the guy getting booed and threatened by parents as I officiated girls softball games. Yes, officiating is dangerous. LOL. Call out a ten year old and see the reaction. My oldest daughter and family have season tickets to the Seattle WNBA team. I'm happy for Portland fans, it's amazing how the Trailblazer trustee won't invest in winning yet an ownership family will cough up $125 mil on a women's franchise fee.
I'll take this as a chance to give my own suggestion....while I think their donuts are an overrated tourist trap, the Portland Voodoo sounds cool to me.
Maybe, just maybe the men’s version of professional basketball in Portland will get a break and a new owner interested in the team and community. Maybe
I can’t wait. I am one of those who talked up women’s basketball with anyone who was in my audio radius since Sabrina was at Oregon. “You can’t believe the excitement and skills of Women’s basketball! Just watch at least one game!” As a former PE teacher, the difference between 1980 and now, dusk and day. My favorite team, although I try to watch them all in between my college football games, is of course, the New York Liberty. Congratulations Portland!
I much prefer college WBB to the WNBA, probably won't ever go to the game or become a fan of the team and would rather see an MLB or NHL franchise, but this is a good deal for Portland. I suspect the team will be quite popular and the players will be good role models for everyone, not just young women, and do a lot of community service events.
And please give the team a nickname of an animate object and not something like the Power, Crunch, Soul or some other lame name.
Agree with all you said. WNBA is not for me, but if the public doesn't have to subsidize it with tax dollars and/or bond measures then more power to them and their cadre of interested fans. Better than throwing millions at a MLB franchise.
Might be an interesting statistic John to show attendance for WNBA teams with losing records because new franchises are often in that hole for a few years after the "new glow" wears off?
(sorry to comment twice, but I forgot to ask about/mention this)
JC, doesn't this bring about your cross-selling/co-ownership theory you discussed as a proposal on the radio for the Timbers and Blazers? Guess it will be the Thorns and (TBD) instead. :D
You just told the real story of this exciting news! Thank you!
We all need need to hear some positive news, we all score on this!
John - you are way underselling that the owner's sons are famous inventors. They created one of the greatest food staple for bachelors across the generations.
Please please please name this team: The Portland Hot Pockets, coached by Jim Gaffigan!
In all seriousness - this is awesome and long overdue.
Great team name suggestion!
Sorry, Hot Pockets is a very bad, ultra processed food. Let’s not celebrate that.
Hot Pockets, like McNuggets and Uncrustables, have provided MANY parents with relief over the years. Unhealthy? Sure. But sometimes after you've put in a full shift getting yelled at by Old Man Spacely at the sprocket factory, the last thing you want to do is fix dinner.
Oh man! Spacely's Sprockets!! Great job, citing that memory for many of us
Don’t forget being greeted by “rrrAstro” his faithful dog
MAHA
why NOT!!!
Just as good as the Indiana Fever!!!
50 years ago, the Athletic Director at Roseburg High School asked me if I could help out with the women's basketball team; he'd signed a young coach from Southern Oregon College and she had 50+ young women turn out. I wasn't a very good basketball coach, but it allowed me to learn more about the game. Now, both of my daughters who are old enough to have children of their own, played in High School. My wife and I live in Idaho, but we are following the NY Liberty via cable TV. We'll take in a game or two when we visit Portland to be with family.
Portland needs something like this. Not having another pro team like football or baseball has been hard on the area. But with the dramatic rise of the WNBA, this couldn’t come at a better time, for this state. Would love to see women’s professional basketball be successful, in Oregon, once again.
I agree!
"Hard on the area" Uh, or perhaps a relief that taxpayers wouldn't have to shoulder subsidies to make it possible.
Oh stop it. I’d like to see what taxpayers really pay on this. Probably not as much as you think.
I think you misunderstood. I'm ok with it because it appears it can be done without subsidies that other alternatives would require such as MLB, NFL or hockey. Will need a practice facility...appears funded by owners... and can play in an existing facility with a reasonable payroll.
I’ll bet they use the Blazers’ facility in Tualatin. Plus, I believe Oregon needs something good to happen, and are willing to welcome sports into the community… maybe even spend some dollars to have it, even if it’s a distraction, and not just hearing about all the problems around us.
Portland perhaps. But, as far as Oregon, I doubt many folks from Roseburg, Bend, Medford, Klamath Falls, Pendleton will hope in their cars for a drive to Portland for the WNBA. Nor, would they want their tax dollars supporting it. If the expected owners have the dough, great.
Not a fan of JuJu and her playing style. She is a whiner not a winner. It is hard to beat the heart and soul of last year's OSU women.
I'm a Coug, but Scott Rueck is an absolute gem of a coach and it's nice to see Sydney Wiese back as an assistant. Tragic what NIL and realignment has done to the OSU program, and Aleah Goodman's mercenary ways (OSU to Duke to OSU to UW) are disappointing as well.
I don't begrudge the OSU players in making these decisions. They signed up to play in the PAC 12 with a certain level of competition. Talia for example enrolled at OSU early giving up a huge part of her HS experience. Everyone of those girls demonstrate far more class, sportsmanship and just so much more intelligence within the game and outside the game than you find in just about every other program. I think that is on Scott Rueck BUT coach is picking up what is already there in the players and in the FAMILY before the players arrive on campus.
well said! They left for many different reasons but they will not have Scott and the program he puts together!!! Don't be surprised to see OSU back in the top 25 in the next 12 to 24 months!!
"mercenary ways" seems a tad harsh for someone trying to climb the women's basketball coaching Ladder.
Perhaps, but I have never been a fan of "one and done" in any setting.
Can they draft Talia please!!
Disapointed she left but understand her thought process. She is PNW all the way through and will always be a BEAV!!!
John, as a dad of three daughters, this story just warms my heart. I would be lying if I said I'm not a teeny bit jealous of the sports relationship you have with them.....watching football, basketball and seeing their excitement grow in the WNBA. You already know that you and Anna will be expected to take them to every home game in 2026! LOL All the best!!!
This is great news on several fronts. The WNBA needs to expand, and Portland is a good market, one that will be receptive to the women's game. Portland needs a 2nd major sport franchise, and this is the most obvious one to add.
I'm a fan of women's college sports, as a dad of two daughters, I was the guy getting booed and threatened by parents as I officiated girls softball games. Yes, officiating is dangerous. LOL. Call out a ten year old and see the reaction. My oldest daughter and family have season tickets to the Seattle WNBA team. I'm happy for Portland fans, it's amazing how the Trailblazer trustee won't invest in winning yet an ownership family will cough up $125 mil on a women's franchise fee.
The perfect team name popped into my head, where it will stay sensing the joy of the moment
I'll take this as a chance to give my own suggestion....while I think their donuts are an overrated tourist trap, the Portland Voodoo sounds cool to me.
Now you have me waiting. Guess I will be checking back later!
Ah, com'on, Charlie...
AT LAST!! A chance to see Sabrina and Stewie play............and Sloot, if she doesn't retire too early.
Maybe, just maybe the men’s version of professional basketball in Portland will get a break and a new owner interested in the team and community. Maybe
I can’t wait. I am one of those who talked up women’s basketball with anyone who was in my audio radius since Sabrina was at Oregon. “You can’t believe the excitement and skills of Women’s basketball! Just watch at least one game!” As a former PE teacher, the difference between 1980 and now, dusk and day. My favorite team, although I try to watch them all in between my college football games, is of course, the New York Liberty. Congratulations Portland!
Opening night suggestion: Seattle Storm versus the Portland 🔥. Recreate the PNW rivalry that existed up to 2007!
YES!!!! 🔥🔥
I much prefer college WBB to the WNBA, probably won't ever go to the game or become a fan of the team and would rather see an MLB or NHL franchise, but this is a good deal for Portland. I suspect the team will be quite popular and the players will be good role models for everyone, not just young women, and do a lot of community service events.
And please give the team a nickname of an animate object and not something like the Power, Crunch, Soul or some other lame name.
Agree with all you said. WNBA is not for me, but if the public doesn't have to subsidize it with tax dollars and/or bond measures then more power to them and their cadre of interested fans. Better than throwing millions at a MLB franchise.
Might be an interesting statistic John to show attendance for WNBA teams with losing records because new franchises are often in that hole for a few years after the "new glow" wears off?
I'm sure you'll be missed...
This is a big deal! Both of my teen daughters saw the expansion news this morning and asked me about it. They are excited, as am I.
(sorry to comment twice, but I forgot to ask about/mention this)
JC, doesn't this bring about your cross-selling/co-ownership theory you discussed as a proposal on the radio for the Timbers and Blazers? Guess it will be the Thorns and (TBD) instead. :D
Thorns and WNBA team... is the strongest combo in the market right now. Blazers-Timbers don't compete with it.