Seattle Storm losing longtime broadcaster Elise Woodward to expansion Portland Fire

Woodward, a former UW basketball player, has been the Storm's color commentator for 19 seasons.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:18am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game or match, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the energy and dynamism of the sport.Woodward's departure from the Storm broadcast team marks the end of an era for women's basketball in Seattle.Seattle Today

After 19 years providing color commentary for the Seattle Storm, Elise Woodward is leaving to take over the play-by-play duties for the WNBA expansion team Portland Fire. Woodward, a former UW basketball player, has been a fixture in the Seattle sports scene since graduating in 1997 and has covered a wide range of teams and sports over the past three decades.

Why it matters

Woodward's departure is a significant loss for the Storm, as she has been a key part of the franchise's broadcast team since the early 2000s, chronicling the team's journey and helping to grow the fanbase for women's basketball in Seattle. Her move to the expansion Portland Fire represents a new chapter in her trailblazing career as a female play-by-play announcer in the WNBA.

The details

Woodward first joined the Storm's broadcast team in 2001 and left in 2008 after giving birth, returning in 2014. Alongside play-by-play announcer Dick Fain, she has called over 600 Storm games over the past two decades, covering the team's three WNBA championship seasons. Woodward is excited about the opportunity to lead the broadcast team for the Portland Fire, saying it will allow her to have more fun and develop deeper connections with the players and fans.

  • Woodward first joined the Storm's broadcast team in 2001.
  • She left the team in 2008 after giving birth, returning in 2014.
  • Woodward has covered over 600 Storm games over the past two decades.

The players

Elise Woodward

A former UW basketball player who has been the color commentator for the Seattle Storm for the past 19 seasons.

Dick Fain

The play-by-play announcer who has worked alongside Woodward for the Storm broadcasts.

Aja Ellison

The analyst who will work with Woodward on the Portland Fire broadcasts.

Lauren Jackson

The former Storm player who Woodward considered her favorite to cover, describing her as 'the ultimate competitor' and 'an absolute force' on the court.

Anne Donovan

The former Storm coach who Woodward enjoyed working with, as Donovan was 'so generous' and would help Woodward prepare by discussing X's and O's and scouting reports.

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What they’re saying

“I will definitely miss the fans that have been around since Year 1 and the relationships with the organization and people that have been there for years. The (fan) group of Storm Crazies, the foundation of the OGs who have been there since Day 1, I have so much respect for them and I love those group of fans.”

— Elise Woodward, Longtime Storm broadcaster

“When you're calling a game for a team, it's a lot different than when you're calling a game and you're in a neutral party like what I've always been for Fox, ESPN, the Pac-12 or the Big Ten. When you're with a team and you get to have fun with it. It's a different call. So I'm really excited about that opportunity of developing nicknames for players and telling their stories, and I'll a phrase or two that I'll say for sure.”

— Elise Woodward, Longtime Storm broadcaster

What’s next

Woodward will pair with analyst Aja Ellison as the new broadcast team for the expansion Portland Fire, while the Storm will have a four-person crew including analyst Alyssa Charlston-Smith, who is replacing Woodward.

The takeaway

Elise Woodward's departure from the Storm broadcast team after 19 seasons marks the end of an era, as she has been a beloved and respected voice for the franchise and women's basketball in Seattle. Her move to the Portland Fire represents an exciting new chapter in her trailblazing career as a female play-by-play announcer in the WNBA.