Women's Sports Facility Marks Milestone; Georgia Draws Record Crowd
A new $150 million performance center for the WNBA's Fire and NWSL's Thorns opened in Portland, featuring two soccer fields and basketball courts. The facility was designed by women for women, with input from players. Additionally, a women's soccer match in Georgia set a record attendance.
The Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, located on Nike's campus in Beaverton, Oregon, represents a $150 million investment by sibling owners Lisa and Alex Bhathal. Its amenities include two outdoor soccer fields, two indoor basketball courts, a weight room, full-size dressing rooms, nursing rooms, and a meditation space. Players Sophia Wilson and Morgan Weaver personally selected finishing touches throughout the building.
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman emphasized during the facility's opening week that physical infrastructure signals permanence and trust in the league's future. Approximately three-quarters of NWSL teams now operate dedicated training facilities, with Kansas City's CPKC Stadium cited as a leading example. The trend reflects broader growth in women's professional sports investment since 2021.
This milestone could signal a turning point in how women's professional sports are valued and resourced. Dedicated facilities may influence player recruitment and retention, potentially raising competitive standards across the NWSL and WNBA. Record attendance in Georgia suggests growing public appetite for women's soccer, which could encourage further investment from owners and sponsors. As infrastructure expands, it may normalize expectations for women athletes, shifting conversations from survival to sustainability.