Plans to bring a WNBA team to Portland have fallen through

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Strenuus said:
Portland has been proven to be a town where lesser known leagues can thrive. Maybe not lacrosse, but WNBA would thrive here. There'd be plenty who would give a fuck.
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I hope they do, but the last time they had a WNBA Team in Portland, the Portland Fire, they didn't thrive.
 
twobullz said:
I hope they do, but the last time they had a WNBA Team in Portland, the Portland Fire, they didn't thrive.
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Fair. But I think the culture here has changed since they were in town. We all know Portland as a whole for better or worse has changed the last 5-7 years lol
 
twobullz said:
I hope they do, but the last time they had a WNBA Team in Portland, the Portland Fire, they didn't thrive.
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The Portland Fire drew 8k fans per game. That would have been 2nd in the WNBA last season...

That would be over $13 million in ticket sales alone, not including playoffs or preseason. Then the teams get about $2 million per season from ESPN (All Star Game and playoffs), which pretty much covers player salaries.

Then there is the opportunity for a TV deal for regular season games.

There is plenty of opportunity for success here in Portland.
 
Strenuus said:
Portland has been proven to be a town where lesser known leagues can thrive. Maybe not lacrosse, but WNBA would thrive here. There'd be plenty who would give a fuck.
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The problem is that the WNBA season lines up with the time of year when no one in Portland wants to be indoors. The Thorns are a great way to spend an 85-degree Friday evening. Going into the Moda Center on such a night, pass.
 
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I’d rather have MLB or NHL.
 
BlazerBeav said:
The problem is that the WNBA season lines up with the time of year when no one in Portland wants to be indoors. The Thorns are a great way to spend an 85-degree Friday evening. Going into the Moda Center on such a night, pass.
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This is why we need a new owner and a revitalized Rose Quarter. Could be a great place to hangout in the summertime if there was more to do.
 
I heard the WNBA is losing crazy money.
And the players want a big fat raise.
 
twobullz said:
I hope they do, but the last time they had a WNBA Team in Portland, the Portland Fire, they didn't thrive.
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When I worked inside sales for the Blazers, I got more requests for bringing the Fire back than I did for season tickets. This was right after Patterson was hired though.

I do not think the WNBA is ever going to be huge but Portland would be as ideal spot as any. Not sure why they couldn't play in Veteran's Memorial Coliseum for the next two years if renovation was an issue.
 
Strenuus said:
Portland has been proven to be a town where lesser known leagues can thrive. Maybe not lacrosse, but WNBA would thrive here. There'd be plenty who would give a fuck.
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Does any WNBA team actually run a profit? Aren't they all heavily subsidized by the NBA? I'm sure some people would want a WNBA team, but it sounds like a really poor business decision if your business is about making money.

"Does the WNBA make money? The league does make money annually and that too a good amount. It just has not been able to turn a profit.

The only reason that the WNBA has not folded even when incurring such huge losses is because it is a subsidiary of the NBA. If it was not for the NBA, the WNBA would have run out of business a long time back."

https://sportslulu.com/wnba-profits-by-year
 
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Reep said:
Does any WNBA team actually run a profit? Aren't they all heavily subsidized by the NBA? I'm sure some people would want a WNBA team, but it sounds like a really poor business decision if your business is about making money.

"Does the WNBA make money? The league does make money annually and that too a good amount. It just has not been able to turn a profit.

The only reason that the WNBA has not folded even when incurring such huge losses is because it is a subsidiary of the NBA. If it was not for the NBA, the WNBA would have run out of business a long time back."

https://sportslulu.com/wnba-profits-by-year
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Accountants can create the picture they want to create. Even if the NBA is kicking in 10M (about the cost of ONE mid level NBA player) a year, that is one hell of an investment in marketing basketball to women. I know I am more interested in tennis and soccer because my kids play. Having the WNBA helps all levels of the sport, thus increasing demand for the NBA.
 
Reep said:
Does any WNBA team actually run a profit? Aren't they all heavily subsidized by the NBA? I'm sure some people would want a WNBA team, but it sounds like a really poor business decision if your business is about making money.

"Does the WNBA make money? The league does make money annually and that too a good amount. It just has not been able to turn a profit.

The only reason that the WNBA has not folded even when incurring such huge losses is because it is a subsidiary of the NBA. If it was not for the NBA, the WNBA would have run out of business a long time back."

https://sportslulu.com/wnba-profits-by-year
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The NBA was a money loser for decades after it started. And it was the incumbent. There are STILL NBA teams that lose money.

It takes time.
 
When a league "projects" they will make $180 million but only brings in $60 million you have a problem.
I highly doubt the renovations are the root of the problem with a team coming to Portland.
 
Phatguysrule said:
The NBA was a money loser for decades after it started. And it was the incumbent. There are STILL NBA teams that lose money.

It takes time.
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Maybe operationally - but not in terms of franchise appreciation. The NBA is printing money. If it was a money loser, the Allen trust would've dumped it by now. The WNBA is definitely losing money - some of the teams are still playing in small gyms. Atlanta plays in a 5,000 seat building (Chiles Center equivalent) and Dallas in a 7,000 seat arena - and they're not packing them in even there. I'm not anti-WNBA, but does no good to deny that the business model here is still not good.

https://acrossthetimeline.com/wnba/attendance.html
 
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