comments on the latest...
"As fans, we are left with nothing, not even a chance to say goodbye and thanks to the team. The dedicated, hardworking staff is now unemployed. The players face an uncertain future, with a 'dispersal draft.' With fewer teams, players have less chance of fufilling their dreams. And it's a big step back for women's sports. I certainly worry about the future for you, (my daughter) Nawwal, and other girls-Title IX is not on stable ground either."
Read a letter sent to Bob Whitsitt, also written by Lisa Moustafa
"In the midst of this great noodleheadedness of losing the Fire here in Oregon...I'd like to take a moment to thank the staff, the players, and the other fans. I know we all enjoyed some fine moments of basketball(whether winning or losing) over the past few years...I am most certainly disappointed by the Blazer organization and the WNBA, but not surprised by their actions. It's extremely unfortunate that fans of the Portland teams have been let down twice. I am glad that when we had the oppurtunities, many people in Portland and the surrounding areas offered up commitment for the professional women atheletes who came here to play."
Kristi Smith, from the hoop.org forum:
"We need to continue to support women's athletics at every level. I believe we'll eventually have professional women's leagues that can sustain themselves...Thanks to the Fire staff and players who did a great job while they were here-they acquitted themselves admirably...I'm going to miss Spot most of all."
Stephanie, from the hoop.org forum:
"The games I went to(almost every one of the home games over the three years) I felt were superior in the fact that the women were still playing their hearts out for the love of a game that barely paid them 1/100 of some of the NBA (players' salaries.)"
Laura Hoff, from the hoop.org forum:
"It is an absolute crime to dismantle this team, this organization. We had such a fun time watching this team. The young women are all jewels and very much the type of people one can be proud of."
"If I won that $160 million Powerball I would, without hesitation, give up a million dollars to make sure the Fire stayed. Then I would buy courtside season tickets and make big signs ripping on that greedy, greaseball, Jimi Hendrix wannabe, Seattle livin', microsoft owning...Paul Allen and his...receding hairline, (and his) sidekick Bob 'Nitwit' Whittsitt." (A later posting by jrod1939 stated that in Seattle, Whitsitt was known as Whitsucks.)
Susie Jarosch of the Storm staff:
"They were great rivals and I truly enjoyed working with the Fire staff. I know what a loss it is for the die-hard Fire fans to lose their team. Although I am directly linked to the Storm, I am still connected to the other teams in the league-especially with Portland being so close-we are very sad to see them go."
'Firefan5' from the Oregonlive forum(a message to Paul Allen):
"The only respectable team in your precious sports empire, and you have to let it go...you like to see your 'bad boys' in the news, and showing the kids in the Portland metro area their spoiled antics with greed, money, and drugs. The Fire were respected by the youth in our area, and now they have no positive adults to follow. The women of the Fire and all of the staff were wonderful to each of the loyal Fire season ticket holders."