Inky Son Named President of Portland’s WNBA Team, Sparking Excitement Ahead of 2026 Launch

Portland’s new WNBA franchise doesn’t have a name, players, or even team colors yet. But it does have a leader — and if the city is looking to build something special, it’s hard to imagine a better person to start with than Inky Son.

On Tuesday, the team made its first-ever hire, announcing that Son will take over as president. It’s a big move and a clear sign that the organization wants to do things right from day one.

“I’m honored. This is an amazing opportunity,” Son said after the news broke. “We’re bringing back a WNBA team to a city that truly loves basketball, and I can’t wait to get started.”

A New Team, A Fresh Start

The Portland franchise will officially join the WNBA in 2026, giving the city a second shot at hosting a women’s professional basketball team. The original team — the Portland Fire — existed from 2000 to 2002 before folding. Since then, fans have been waiting, hoping, and pushing for a comeback.

Now, with Son stepping in as the first executive, that comeback has a real face and direction.

“She’s the perfect person to help lay the foundation,” said Mike Whitehead, the managing director of the team’s parent company. “Inky knows what it takes to build something that lasts, something meaningful.”

From Fashion to Front Office

Son’s journey to this point is anything but typical. Originally from South Korea, she didn’t start her career in sports. In fact, she worked in the fashion world before taking a leap of faith in 2015 and pivoting to sports — a move she’s never looked back on.

Her first role in the industry came with the Major League Baseball Players Association. From there, she worked her way into the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), eventually becoming its Chief Administrative Officer. That position had her handling everything from internal operations to high-level planning, all while advocating for athletes.

She’s one of those behind-the-scenes forces that helps make leagues run smoothly — the type of person who isn’t in the spotlight often, but whose fingerprints are all over the progress being made.

And now, she’s getting her own spotlight in Portland.

Building From the Ground Up

Taking over a brand-new team isn’t like walking into an already-built organization. There’s no staff, no roster, and no arena culture to build upon. That’s part of what makes the challenge so exciting.

Son’s job will be to create everything from scratch — the identity, the mission, the front office, the business side, and eventually, to help with hiring the general manager and head coach who will take care of the basketball side.

Everything matters at this stage, from choosing the team name to picking brand colors that fans will wear for decades. It’s a huge undertaking, but Son seems more energized than overwhelmed.

“We’re starting with a blank canvas,” she said. “That’s rare in sports. We get to build something that reflects the city, its values, and everything the WNBA stands for. That’s the goal.”

Portland’s WNBA Moment

This announcement isn’t just about one team or one hire — it’s part of a much bigger picture. The WNBA is in a real growth phase right now. Golden State is launching its team this year, and both Portland and Toronto are lined up for 2026. Another team is expected to be added by 2028, with cities like Detroit and Philadelphia showing interest.

And it’s no wonder why cities are eager to join.

The league is riding a wave of momentum. TV ratings are up, attendance is climbing, and interest in women’s basketball has never been higher, especially with college stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese dominating headlines.

Portland’s a natural fit in all of this. The city has a rich basketball culture, thanks to the Trail Blazers, and has already shown major love for women’s sports through the Portland Thorns of the NWSL. The energy is here, and the timing feels right.

Now, it’s just about bringing it all together.

Why Inky Son

So, why did the ownership group pick Son as the very first person to lead this new chapter?

Simple: experience, vision, and a people-first approach.

Son has spent years navigating the intersection of sports, labor, and business. She knows how to get things done, but just as importantly, she knows how to build relationships — with players, league officials, sponsors, and communities.

That last part might be the most important. Portland prides itself on being different. It’s a city that values authenticity, inclusion, and community impact. Son seems perfectly aligned with those principles.

“This team has to be about more than just basketball,” she said. “It has to connect with people. We want fans to feel like they’re a part of this from day one.”

Source: Portland’s WNBA expansion team hires Inky Son as president

What’s Next

Now that Son is officially in charge, the real work begins.

She’ll start assembling her front office team, finding a home arena, working with designers and marketing teams on branding, and reaching out to local community leaders to begin planting roots.

And soon enough, the basketball decisions will follow — hiring a general manager, scouting players, preparing for the expansion draft, and getting ready to compete in the league’s 2026 season.

It’s a long road, but it’s an exciting one. And for a city that’s been waiting for years to cheer on a WNBA team again, the wheels are finally in motion.

A Message to the Fans

Son knows how much this team will mean to Portland. She’s not just thinking about wins and losses — she’s thinking about kids in the crowd, local business partnerships, fan meetups, and long-term memories.

“This is about legacy,” she said. “We want to create something that little girls can look up to. We want to be a part of this community in a real, lasting way. That’s what drives me.”

The passion is already there. Now, the pieces are coming together.

Inky Son’s Hiring Sets the Tone for What’s to Come

It might not seem like much at first glance — just one hire. But in sports, the first hire is everything. It sets the tone. It tells the world what kind of organization you want to be.

By choosing Inky Son to lead the way, Portland’s WNBA team is sending a strong, clear message: they’re here to build something that lasts — something smart, meaningful, and community-driven.

For a city like Portland, that’s exactly the kind of start fans were hoping for. And for the WNBA, it’s another strong step forward as the league continues to grow, evolve, and thrive.

Game on.

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