The partnership centers innovation, athlete-first performance environments, and expanded community impact.
Portland, Ore (August 20, 2026) - Nike and RAJ Sports are proud to announce a partnership to advance the next era of women's sport, with a shared focus on the Portland Thorns, Portland Fire, innovation, performance, and community impact. The announcement comes during Epicenter Week, where Nike serves as presenting partner, underscoring the depth of the two organizations' shared commitment to the future of women's sport.
The partnership brings together Nike's expertise in sport innovation and performance with RAJ Sports' long-term vision for building world class organizations where women's sports thrive. Nike will help equip and enhance athlete training environments while supporting year-round development that goes beyond competition and opens doors for the next generation.
"At Nike, we believe athletes lead the way, and women athletes are showing the world what's possible," says Ann Miller, Nike EVP, Global Sports Marketing. "RAJ Sports Group is building something special for women's sport. This partnership is about showing up in meaningful ways for athletes, teams, and the community, and helping raise the bar for the industry overall."
A central focus of the partnership is supporting the development of a women's specific high performance training facility designed around the real needs of women athletes. Nike will contribute product, performance insight, and environment design to help build a space that supports athlete development across training, recovery, and preparation.
"Everything we do at RAJ Sports starts with our community and the belief that sport has the power to change lives," said Lisa Bhathal Merage, Governor of the Portland Thorns and Portland Fire and Managing Partner of RAJ Sports. "Partnering with Nike allows us to deepen that commitment by innovating together for women athletes, expanding access to sport for young girls, and supporting our community through joint initiatives and programs that advance Portland."
The partnership also puts a strong emphasis on access and opportunity for youth in Portland, particularly girls. Nike and RAJ Sports will collaborate on community programming that brings young people closer to women's sport through participation, visibility, and mentorship. Planned initiatives include youth clinics, camps, and product support aimed at reducing barriers to sport.
Through Nike Social and Community Impact, the partnership is committed to shaping the future of youth sport in Portland. That means expanding access, supporting programming led by trained coaches who reflect the kids they serve, and changing the conversation about what sport looks like for all kids so that every girl in Portland knows sport is for her.
This partnership builds on Nike's role as presenting sponsor of Epicenter Week (August 19 to 23, 2026), a multi-day gathering in Portland dedicated to advancing women's sports through leadership, innovation, and community. The week is anchored by the invitation-only Epicenter: Women's Global Sports Summit at The Philip H. Knight Campus, where this announcement is being made, and brings together senior executives, athletes, and investors alongside professional games, public events, and community programming.
"Nike's presence throughout Epicenter Week, and now as a partner to RAJ Sports, is a signal to the entire industry that Portland is where the future of women's sport is being written," added Bhathal Merage. "Together, we're bringing the most influential leaders, ideas, and movements in the game to one place, and showing the world what's possible when you invest in women's sport with intention."
Nike and RAJ Sports will look for cross-platform opportunities connecting the Portland Thorns, Portland Fire, and Nike to tell stories that celebrate women athletes and the future of the game, staying true to each team and the community they represent.
As women's sport continues to grow, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to leading with purpose, investing for the long term, and building a future where women athletes are supported at every level.
About RAJ Sports
Portland Fire is one of the Women’s National Basketball Association’s newest franchises, making its official on-court debut in 2026. Owned by RAJ Sports – led by Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage – the team is more than a franchise; it’s the revival of a movement, honoring the legacy of the original Portland Fire while blazing a bold new path forward. Based in Portland, Oregon, the global epicenter of women’s sports, Portland Fire is rooted in the Rose City’s enduring resilience, spirit, and passion for sport.
Looking ahead, RAJ Sports will open the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center in 2026. The 100,000-square-foot Kaiser Permanente Performance Center will house both the Fire and the NWSL’s Portland Thorns, and will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
PORTLAND, Ore. (Saturday, August 15, 2026) – The Portland Thorns continued their impressive home form with a 2-1 win over Orlando Pride on Saturday when forward Caiya Hanks — who was making her return to the pitch after missing action for over a year with an ACL injury — scored a stoppage time winner to secure three points for the home side.
Both sides battled back and forth as they tried to search for the opening goal, with Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold making three saves to ensure the match remained level going into the halftime break.
The Thorns came out into the second half much more threatening in Orlando’s half and finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when forward Pietra Tordin laid the ball off to forward Deyna Castellanos, who from the top right corner of Orlando’s box placed the ball perfectly into the top left corner of the goal over the hands of Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse.
The lead was short lived however when Arnold’s diving save to punch out a crossed ball in the 63rd minute ricocheted off the knees of Orlando forward Jacqueline Ovalle and rolled into the net to level things back up.
From there, Portland and Orlando continued in their fight to search for a second and despite several good looks at goal, the match remained level.
That would all change after Hanks — who subbed on in the 88th minute — curled the ball into the goal from outside the box in the 96th to send Providence Park into a frenzy as the Thorns secured three points and extended its home unbeaten streak to 12 matches, nine on the season.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns host Denver Summit FC for the first time at Providence Park on Saturday, August 22. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:45 pm PT on ION and 910 ESPN Portland. Purchase tickets for the match HERE.
TEAM NOTES
GOAL BREAKDOWN
First Half
N/A
Second Half
POR – Deyna Castellanos (Pietra Tordin) 58’
ORL – Jacqueline Ovalle 63’
POR – Caiya Hanks (M.A. Vignola) 90+6’
LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-2-3-1): Mackenzie Arnold (GK), M.A. Vignola, Jayden Perry, Isabella Obaze (Sam Hiatt 78’), Carolyn Calzada, Jessie Fleming-C, Nina Nijstad (Cassandra Bogere 85’), Pietra Tordin (Caiya Hanks 88’), Deyna Castellanos (Renee Lyles 78’), Marie Müller (Morgan Weaver 67’), Sophia Wilson
Subs not used: Morgan Messner (GK), Reyna Reyes, Shae Harvey, Mallie McKenzie
Orlando Pride (4-4-2): Anna Moorhouse (GK), Hailie Mace (Gabi Nunes 90+8’), Rafaelle (Zoe Matthews 89’), Cori Dyke, Oihane Hernández (Zara Chavoshi 76’), Solai Washington, Ally Lemos, Haley McCutcheon-C, Julie Doyle (Summer Yates 65’), Jacqueline Ovalle, Barbra Banda (Angelina 65’)
Subs not used: Cara Martin (GK), Cossette Morche, Luana, Nicole Payne
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR: N/A
ORL: Jacqueline Ovalle (Yellow) 40’, Julie Doyle (Yellow) 52’, Rafaelle (Yellow) 85’
MATCH STATS
POR | ORL
Goals: 2|1
Assists: 2|0
Possession: 51|49
Shots: 10|12
Shots on Target: 4|6
Saves: 5|2
Tackles: 16|16
Tackles Won: 9|11
Interceptions: 14|26
Fouls: 7|6
Offsides: 0|1
Corner Kicks: 0|6
ATTENDANCE: 19,106
Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistant Referee 1: Katarzyna Wasiak
Assistant Referee 2: Sarah Gaddes
4th Official: Justin St. Pierre
VAR: Danielle Chesky
Assistant VAR: Seun Yinka-Kehinde
The partnership centers innovation, athlete-first performance environments, and expanded community impact.
Portland, Ore (August 20, 2026) - Nike and RAJ Sports are proud to announce a partnership to advance the next era of women's sport, with a shared focus on the Portland Thorns, Portland Fire, innovation, performance, and community impact. The announcement comes during Epicenter Week, where Nike serves as presenting partner, underscoring the depth of the two organizations' shared commitment to the future of women's sport.
The partnership brings together Nike's expertise in sport innovation and performance with RAJ Sports' long-term vision for building world class organizations where women's sports thrive. Nike will help equip and enhance athlete training environments while supporting year-round development that goes beyond competition and opens doors for the next generation.
"At Nike, we believe athletes lead the way, and women athletes are showing the world what's possible," says Ann Miller, Nike EVP, Global Sports Marketing. "RAJ Sports Group is building something special for women's sport. This partnership is about showing up in meaningful ways for athletes, teams, and the community, and helping raise the bar for the industry overall."
A central focus of the partnership is supporting the development of a women's specific high performance training facility designed around the real needs of women athletes. Nike will contribute product, performance insight, and environment design to help build a space that supports athlete development across training, recovery, and preparation.
"Everything we do at RAJ Sports starts with our community and the belief that sport has the power to change lives," said Lisa Bhathal Merage, Governor of the Portland Thorns and Portland Fire and Managing Partner of RAJ Sports. "Partnering with Nike allows us to deepen that commitment by innovating together for women athletes, expanding access to sport for young girls, and supporting our community through joint initiatives and programs that advance Portland."
The partnership also puts a strong emphasis on access and opportunity for youth in Portland, particularly girls. Nike and RAJ Sports will collaborate on community programming that brings young people closer to women's sport through participation, visibility, and mentorship. Planned initiatives include youth clinics, camps, and product support aimed at reducing barriers to sport.
Through Nike Social and Community Impact, the partnership is committed to shaping the future of youth sport in Portland. That means expanding access, supporting programming led by trained coaches who reflect the kids they serve, and changing the conversation about what sport looks like for all kids so that every girl in Portland knows sport is for her.
This partnership builds on Nike's role as presenting sponsor of Epicenter Week (August 19 to 23, 2026), a multi-day gathering in Portland dedicated to advancing women's sports through leadership, innovation, and community. The week is anchored by the invitation-only Epicenter: Women's Global Sports Summit at The Philip H. Knight Campus, where this announcement is being made, and brings together senior executives, athletes, and investors alongside professional games, public events, and community programming.
"Nike's presence throughout Epicenter Week, and now as a partner to RAJ Sports, is a signal to the entire industry that Portland is where the future of women's sport is being written," added Bhathal Merage. "Together, we're bringing the most influential leaders, ideas, and movements in the game to one place, and showing the world what's possible when you invest in women's sport with intention."
Nike and RAJ Sports will look for cross-platform opportunities connecting the Portland Thorns, Portland Fire, and Nike to tell stories that celebrate women athletes and the future of the game, staying true to each team and the community they represent.
As women's sport continues to grow, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to leading with purpose, investing for the long term, and building a future where women athletes are supported at every level.
About RAJ Sports
Portland Fire is one of the Women’s National Basketball Association’s newest franchises, making its official on-court debut in 2026. Owned by RAJ Sports – led by Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage – the team is more than a franchise; it’s the revival of a movement, honoring the legacy of the original Portland Fire while blazing a bold new path forward. Based in Portland, Oregon, the global epicenter of women’s sports, Portland Fire is rooted in the Rose City’s enduring resilience, spirit, and passion for sport.
Looking ahead, RAJ Sports will open the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center in 2026. The 100,000-square-foot Kaiser Permanente Performance Center will house both the Fire and the NWSL’s Portland Thorns, and will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
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