The Rise and Fall of the Portland Power: A History of Pro Women's Basketball Before the WNBA

The Portland Power were a professional women's basketball team that played in the American Basketball League from 1996 to 1998, before the WNBA was founded.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:17am

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The Portland Power were a professional women's basketball team that played in the American Basketball League (ABL) from 1996 to 1998, before the WNBA was founded. The team had a tumultuous history, going from a 5-17 record in their inaugural 1996-97 season to winning the Western Conference in 1997-98 under coach Lin Dunn, who was named ABL Coach of the Year. However, the ABL declared bankruptcy in December 1998 in the middle of the season, leading to the league's demise and the dispersal of many of its players to the WNBA.

Why it matters

The story of the Portland Power provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of professional women's basketball in the United States, before the establishment of the WNBA as the premier league. It highlights the challenges and obstacles that women's sports leagues have faced in gaining mainstream popularity and financial stability. The Power's rise and fall also underscores the importance of consistent ownership, management, and league support for the long-term success of professional women's sports teams.

The details

The Power's inaugural 1996-97 season was led by coach Greg Bruce, who had a successful tenure at Portland State University. The team started slowly with a 5-17 record, leading to Bruce's dismissal in January 1997. Lin Dunn then took over as head coach, and the Power went 9-9 for the rest of the season, finishing last in the Western Conference. In the 1997-98 season, the Power brought in Sylvia Crawley and DeLisha Milton-Jones, which helped elevate the team's performance. Natalie Williams was named ABL MVP, leading the league in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, and blocks. The Power went 27-17 and won the Western Conference, but fell to the Long Beach Stingrays in the ABL Semifinals. The 1998-99 season started promisingly for the Power, who were in first place in the Western Conference with a 9-4 record, but the ABL declared bankruptcy in December 1998, leading to the league's abrupt closure and the dispersal of its players to the WNBA.

  • The Portland Power played in the American Basketball League (ABL) from 1996 through 1998.
  • The Power's inaugural 1996-97 season was led by coach Greg Bruce, who was ousted in January 1997.
  • Lin Dunn took over as head coach in the 1996-97 season, and the Power went 9-9 for the rest of the season.
  • In the 1997-98 season, the Power went 27-17 and won the Western Conference, but fell to the Long Beach Stingrays in the ABL Semifinals.
  • The Power opened the 1998-99 season with a 9-4 record, but the ABL declared bankruptcy in December 1998 in the middle of the season, leading to the league's closure.

The players

Greg Bruce

Coached the Portland Power in their inaugural 1996-97 season, before being ousted in January 1997.

Lin Dunn

Took over as head coach of the Portland Power in the 1996-97 season, and was named ABL Coach of the Year in 1997-98 after leading the team to a 27-17 record and a Western Conference title.

Natalie Williams

Named ABL MVP in the 1997-98 season, leading the league in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, and blocks.

Sylvia Crawley

Joined the Portland Power in the 1997-98 season, helping to elevate the team's performance.

DeLisha Milton-Jones

Joined the Portland Power in the 1997-98 season, helping to elevate the team's performance.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The story of the Portland Power highlights the challenges and obstacles that women's sports leagues have faced in gaining mainstream popularity and financial stability. Despite the team's on-court success, the ABL's abrupt closure in 1998 led to the dispersal of many of its players to the WNBA, underscoring the importance of consistent ownership, management, and league support for the long-term success of professional women's sports teams.