Nike and RAJ Sports Partner to Support Portland Thorns and Portland Fire
Nike and RAJ Sports have announced a partnership aimed at advancing women’s sport in Portland, with support for the Portland Thorns and Portland Fire. The collaboration combines Nike’s experience in sport innovation and athlete performance with RAJ Sports’ long-term plans for women’s teams, emphasizing athlete development, community impact and expanded opportunity. A central element is the planned development of a women-specific high-performance training facility in the Portland area. Nike will provide product, performance insight and environment design to help shape a space intended to support athletes’ training, recovery and preparation. The partnership also seeks to enhance training environments and promote year-round development beyond competition. Nike and RAJ Sports will work on youth programming in Portland, particularly for girls. Planned efforts include clinics, camps and product support intended to reduce barriers to participation. Through Nike Social & Community Impact, the organizations also plan to expand youth access to sport, support programming led by trained coaches who reflect the communities they serve, and encourage more young people to see sport as a place for them. The announcement was made during Epicenter Week, scheduled for August 19-23, 2026, in Portland, where Nike is the presenting sponsor. The event includes the invitation-only Epicenter: Women’s Global Sports Summit at the Philip H. Knight Campus, as well as professional games, public events and community programming. For Portland, the partnership is relevant because it brings investment in women athletes, local youth access and sports infrastructure to the city while linking the Thorns and Fire to Nike’s broader commitment to women’s sport.
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