Building a WNBA dynasty from scratch: The challenges and triumphs of Portland's expansion team
The road to glory is often paved with adversity, and for the Portland Fire, that journey began with a blank slate. As the Fire prepares for its return to the WNBA in 2026, we delve into the story of their first incarnation, a tale of resilience and strategic prowess.
Former coach and general manager, Linda Hargrove, shares her insights on the trials of constructing an expansion team. "It's tough being an expansion team," she candidly admits. And she should know, having guided the Fire through its inaugural three seasons.
Under Hargrove's leadership, the Fire posted a 37-59 record. While the franchise was ultimately disbanded in 2002, the team's final season showed signs of promise, finishing with a respectable 16-16 record.
When reflecting on the team's inception, Hargrove highlights the challenges of the expansion draft. "You're basically dealing with players who aren't protected assets," she explains. "You're picking up their eighth or ninth player from another team. You can find good players, but not necessarily the cream of the crop."
And here's where it gets controversial... Expansion teams are excluded from the draft lottery, meaning they don't get a shot at the top picks in their inaugural year. The Fire's first pick in 2000, Lynn Pride from Kansas, was selected at No. 7—the same position they're slotted for in 2026.
It wasn't until 2001, with the No. 4 pick, that the Fire landed Jackie Stiles, who would go on to win Rookie of the Year and become a standout player for the team for the next two years.
So, what's the secret sauce for building a successful expansion team? Hargrove believes the key lies in free agency. "That's where we brought in some of our top players," she says, citing Sylvia Crawley, Michelle Marciniak, and Tully Bevilaqua as prime examples.
Crawley, in particular, left an indelible mark on the Fire, holding the team's career records for points, rebounds, and blocks. Twenty-three years after the original team's disbandment, it was Crawley who delivered the exciting news to her former coach that the Fire was making a comeback.
"Then she called me again when they named it the Fire, and she was so excited about that," Hargrove recalls.
Hargrove emphasizes the strong bond between the Fire and the Portland community. "Portland showed for three years that they were a great partner in the league," she says. "I was happy about it, and I'm sure there were a lot of people who shared my enthusiasm."
After her time with the Fire, Hargrove joined the Washington Mystics, working as a scout, assistant coach, and eventually becoming the team's general manager. She retired from basketball in 2008 but made a brief comeback in 2017, coaching at Wichita State for a few months.
Now, Hargrove helps run ProHoops Sports & Events, organizing basketball camps and hosting neutral-site preseason WNBA games in Wichita, Kansas.
Hargrove fondly remembers her time with the Fire and hopes to return to Portland to witness the new team's debut.
"It was probably one of the best three-year experiences I've had," she says. "Just having the opportunity to build that team from the ground up, hiring everyone, and then watching our team grow and improve over those three years was incredible."
As the Fire embarks on its new chapter, the legacy of its pioneering days lives on. Will the new team emulate the spirit and success of its predecessor? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: the road to glory is never easy, and the Fire's story is a testament to that.
