Portland's Fire and Thorns Teams Launch Dedicated Women's Sports Channel

New Fox 12 Plus channel and Fire's direct-to-consumer app aim to elevate women's sports coverage in the city.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:08pm by

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An abstract, energetic painting featuring overlapping figures of female basketball and soccer players in a blur of neon colors and expressive brushstrokes, capturing the raw athleticism and excitement of women's sports.The new women's sports hub in Portland promises to showcase the city's passion for female athletics with a dedicated broadcast channel and streaming app.Portland Today

RAJ Sports, the parent company of the WNBA's Portland Fire and the NWSL's Portland Thorns, is launching a dedicated women's sports broadcast channel called Fox 12 Plus. The channel will showcase games from both teams, while the Fire is also debuting its own direct-to-consumer streaming app to provide additional content and behind-the-scenes access for fans.

Why it matters

This move represents a groundbreaking step in elevating women's sports coverage on a local level. Portland has long been a hub for women's athletics, and this partnership aims to capitalize on the city's enthusiasm by providing a centralized platform for fans to access their favorite teams.

The details

The Fox 12 Plus channel will air select games from both the Fire and Thorns, while the Fire's new DTC app will stream additional games and exclusive content. The app is modeled after similar offerings from NBA teams, allowing the franchise to directly engage with and monetize its fanbase. Industry experts believe this comprehensive approach could eventually evolve into a full-fledged regional sports network dedicated to women's sports.

  • The new Fox 12 Plus channel and Fire DTC app are launching in April 2026.

The players

RAJ Sports

The parent company that owns the WNBA's Portland Fire and the NWSL's Portland Thorns.

Fox 12 Plus

The new dedicated women's sports broadcast channel launching in partnership with RAJ Sports.

Lee Berke

President and CEO of LHB Sports, Entertainment & Media, Inc., who praised the groundbreaking nature of the new women's sports channel.

Mike Whitehead

Managing Director of RAJ Sports, who highlighted Portland's history of supporting women's sports and the appetite for this new content.

Glenn Booth

CEO of Kiswe, the company partnering with the Fire to develop the team's new direct-to-consumer streaming app.

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What they’re saying

“It's groundbreaking! There's a national network for women's sports, but nothing like this on a local level. It's a sign that the time has truly arrived.”

— Lee Berke, President and CEO of LHB Sports, Entertainment & Media, Inc.

“Portland has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to women's sports. Where the world is today, Portland was a decade ago. There's a real appetite for this content, and we're thrilled to be able to deliver it.”

— Mike Whitehead, Managing Director of RAJ Sports

“Fans crave more than just a game. They want a community, a dedicated space to connect with their team. That's what we're building.”

— Glenn Booth, CEO of Kiswe

What’s next

RAJ Sports and its partners will continue to evaluate the performance of the Fox 12 Plus channel and the Fire's direct-to-consumer app, with the potential to evolve the partnership into a full-fledged 24/7 regional sports network dedicated to women's sports.

The takeaway

This innovative partnership between the Portland Fire, Portland Thorns, and Fox 12 Plus represents a significant step forward in elevating women's sports coverage on a local level. By providing a dedicated platform and direct-to-consumer offerings, RAJ Sports is positioning Portland as a hub for female athletic excellence and setting a new standard for how women's sports can be showcased in regional markets.