Portlandia Stars Reunite for WNBA Fire Announcement

Portlandia stars Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen have reunited in their beloved Portland setting to announce the upcoming debut season of the WNBA's Portland Fire. The duo appeared in a promotional ad filmed at Mother Foucault's Bookshop, channeling their familiar chemistry and lighthearted humor.

In the ad, Brownstein and Armisen share a playful exchange, reflecting on their time creating the absurdist comedy series that celebrated Portland's unique culture. Their conversation humorously touches on new city establishments before shifting to the exciting news of the Portland Fire's return. Armisen notes the team's absence since 2002, while Brownstein expresses enthusiasm for potential season tickets.

The Portland Fire, which was the city's inaugural WNBA team from 2000 to 2002, is making a comeback. Portland was officially awarded a WNBA franchise in September 2024, becoming the league's 15th team. The decision to revive the original team name was announced in July 2025.

Kimberly Veale, the Portland Fire's senior vice president of marketing and communications, stated that the choice to feature Armisen and Brownstein was intentional. The goal was to "set the tone" and create something uniquely Portland, leveraging the strong connection the show has with the city to celebrate its spirit during the unveiling of the season schedule.