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The WNBA is six months away from an expected expansion draft for its two newest teams—the Toronto Tempo and the Portland franchise—but only one of them appears ready.
The Portland team has parted ways with its first team employee, president Inky Son. A joint statement was released by RAJ Sports and Son on Friday afternoon saying in part Son decided to leave the organization. However, a report by the Oregonian said Son was fired.
“During her brief but impactful tenure, Son helped lay the foundation for the franchise’s presence in Portland, shaping its early business operations and community engagement efforts,” the statement read. “Son will return to New York, where she was previously based, and the organization thanks her for her leadership during this important phase and wishes her success in her next chapter.”
Replacing Son on an interim basis will be former Nike executive Clare Hamill, effective immediately, a source close to the team told Front Office Sports. Hamill was at Nike for nearly 50 years, including a title of VP of Nike women’s business, before retiring last year.
The news comes a week after the team’s name rollout was scooped by trademark applications filed by the WNBA league office for the former name of the franchise that existed in the city, the Fire. The filings indicate that the expansion franchise could be bringing back the name of the team that played three seasons in Portland from 2000 to 2002 before folding.
All of this turmoil is happening a little over two weeks ahead of the franchise’s anticipated brand launch next month.
Son, who was hired by the franchise less than three months ago, did not immediately return a request for comment when contacted via email. As recently as Monday, Son had posted on her LinkedIn page announcing the team’s hiring of a social media manager.
The Tempo, by comparison, appear to be having a smoother launch, although their own name did leak on the WNBA website prematurely. But Toronto has filled out its front office, hiring general manager Monica Wright, assistant general manager Eli Horowitz, and president Teresa Resch. According to one source, the Tempo have added at least 20 front office employees to their staff and are actively scouting for the upcoming expansion draft. The one major hire they have yet to make is a coach.
The Portland team is now without a president and has not hired a coach or general manager yet. One source indicated the Portland franchise is struggling with its GM search, telling FOS multiple candidates have turned down the position. A source close to the Portland team said there will be a number of staffing hires announced in the coming weeks.
The rebirth of a WNBA presence in the Rose City began with a collapse of the original expansion bid from prospective owner Kirk Brown days before an anticipated announcement from commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The commissioner cited planned renovations to the Moda Center, the home of the Trail Blazers which will also be shared with the WNBA team. However, reports have indicated that Brown had a number of issues with Engelbert and the league.
On Sept. 18, 2024, the WNBA officially named Portland as the league’s 15th franchise, with Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal as owners through their sports investment firm RAJ Sports. They also own the Portland Thorns and a stake in the Sacramento Kings. The WNBA announced Toronto as its 14th team last May. The Bhalthal family made its fortune from its swimwear company, RAJ Manufacturing.
On Thursday morning the team announced via a spokesperson it had surpassed 10,000 season ticket deposits. Absent from the announcement was a statement from Son.
The Portland WNBA team and the Tempo are scheduled to begin play in less than 11 months.
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