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Fire department in Portland appoints Vanja Cernivec as General Manager, following her successful season with Valkyries.

Portland Fire taps an accomplished builder from the WNBA's expansion ranks to steer their forthcoming endeavor.

Fire Department in Portland appoints Vanja Cernivec as General Manager, following her successful...
Fire Department in Portland appoints Vanja Cernivec as General Manager, following her successful tenure with the Valkyries team.

Fire department in Portland appoints Vanja Cernivec as General Manager, following her successful season with Valkyries.

New General Manager for Portland Fire Set to Revolutionize Women's Basketball

Vanja Cernivec, a globally renowned figure in basketball, has been appointed as the first General Manager of the Portland Fire WNBA team. The announcement was made ahead of the Fire's debut in the 2026 season, which will see them playing their home games at the Moda Center in the city of Portland, Oregon.

Cernivec brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked with some of the most prestigious teams and programmes in the sport. She has been associated with the London Lions women's team, the NBA Academy Women's Program, and Basketball Without Borders camps. Her work with the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA's newest franchise, has also been noteworthy.

In her current role as Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Golden State Valkyries, Cernivec has contributed significantly to their record-breaking debut campaign and playoff contention. The Valkyries have posted 19 wins in their debut season, the most ever by an expansion club.

Cernivec's task with the Portland Fire is to lay the foundation for a franchise designed to be competitive from day one. She envisions a team that reflects the city's energy, is rooted in legacy, fueled by passion, and driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Portland, a city with a deep passion for basketball, according to Cernivec, is set to benefit from her global perspective and basketball expertise. The Fire have already generated a significant amount of interest, with over 13,000 season-ticket deposits since unveiling its name and brand identity.

A native of Slovenia, Cernivec holds degrees in international relations and sports marketing. Her career in basketball began when she became the first female international scout for the Chicago Bulls. She later held the role of Global Director of Academy for Super League Basketball, overseeing player development pathways.

Cernivec's work extends beyond the court, as she has helped deliver the first FIBA EuroCup Women's title and back-to-back British league championships with the London Lions. Her ambition for the Portland Fire is to build the most innovative and groundbreaking team in women's basketball.

As the Portland Fire prepare for their entry into the WNBA, they are poised to make a significant impact on the league. With Cernivec at the helm, the team is set to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of women's basketball.

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