RAJ Sports is a company that specializes in sports investment and owns the Portland Thorns as well as the soon-to-come and as yet unnamed Portland WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) team. According to RAJ Sports, the company has plans for a brand new $150 million training facility for both the Portland Thorns and Portland’s new incoming WNBA team. The project, funded by RAJ Sports, is a collaboration between the architectural firm Populous and real estate company Workspace Property Trust. It is set to roll out in phases and is expected to be completed before the start of the 2026 WNBA season.
Brent Reed, who is the head coach of girls basketball at Lincoln, thinks that the expansion of the WNBA is good for everyone.
“It gives young girls in particular, but really everyone, an opportunity to see high-level basketball,” said Reed. “It’s exciting because it’ll make Portland a hub for women’s sports.”
The 12-acre facility will be built in Hillsboro. It will include two soccer fields, two basketball courts, an outdoor training zone, strength training equipment, therapy chambers and recovery pools.
Freshman Rafferty Jungst thinks that it’s important to have quality facilities for women’s athletics.
“I always like the idea of expansion teams in any sort of sport, and for the WNBA, this can be huge considering how we really like basketball here,” said Jungst.
Biology teacher Laura Lisensky is a fan of the Thorns.
“I’m someone who often goes to Thorn’s games without really knowing much about soccer,” said Lisensky. “I enjoy going and I like the atmosphere.”
Lisensky says she’d love to see Portland have a successful WNBA team.
“The Blazers are huge here. It’d be really cool to have a women’s [basketball] team as well,” said Lisensky.
The Thorns’ website endorses the project.
“Designed as a facility that champions innovation and athletic excellence, the performance center will feature a first of its kind elite training core, elevating the standard of athletic development by integrating cutting-edge training, advanced recovery, and holistic wellness with lifestyle elements specific to the needs of female athletes in a collaborative multi-team setting,” the website said.