Portland’s WNBA franchise has parted ways with its first hire, president of business operations Inky Son, a spokesperson for the team confirmed Friday. The announcement comes as the team prepares to join the women’s basketball league in less than a year.

Siblings Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage own the Portland franchise through the sports arm of their investment company, RAJ Sports. In a joint statement, RAJ Sports and Son said that she decided to leave the organization.

“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 said. “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.”

Son, a sports and fashion industry veteran, joined the Portland franchise in April. Before that, she worked for the NBA Players Association as the chief administrative officer. Son was born in South Korea and raised in Gloversville, New York.

A source close to the team said former Nike executive Clare Hamill will take over as interim president, as first reported by the Portland Business Journal.

After holding steady for years at a dozen teams, the WNBA is now in an era of expansion. The Golden State Valkyries started play this year, and teams in Portland and Toronto are set to start play next season.

Oregon already has a reputation as a women’s sports hub. Oregonians have long supported college basketball programs throughout the state, particularly at Oregon State University and University of Oregon. Fans routinely pack Providence Park to cheer on the Thorns, the professional women’s soccer team, also owned by RAJ Sports.

Part of Portland’s credibility as a women’s sports haven is thanks to the success of the Sports Bra. The Northeast Portland pub gained national attention when it opened in 2022 and owner Jenny Nguyen vowed to only show women’s sports on the bar’s TVs. It’s now franchising.

But Portland’s bid for a WNBA team has been a rollercoaster despite the assumed fan base. The first deal in 2023 fell through, seemingly at the last minute, mostly over construction concerns.

Less than a year later, hope was revived when the Bhathal siblings announced in September 2024 they were bringing a team back to Portland. The effort cost the pair $125 million.

Compared to Toronto’s franchise, also set to tip off in the 2026 season, Portland is behind schedule. Toronto has already hired much of its business staff, has chosen a name, and has already started selling Toronto Tempo merchandise.

Meanwhile, Portland’s franchise is still staffing up its front office. An announcement on the team name is expected next month, although a trademark request hints it may revive the name from the 2000-2002 team, the Fire.

Still, RAJ Sports has the benefit of building Portland’s team as the WNBA surges in popularity, breaking multiple viewership and attendance records last season. The Portland team announced on Thursday it has already sold more than 10,000 season ticket deposits.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/06/27/inky-son-departs-president-incoming-portland-wnba-womens-basketball-team/