Portland Fire make former WNBA player Ashley Battle the VP of Basketball Operations

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Portland Fire announced Tuesday that they have hired former WNBA star Ashley Battle as the team’s Vice President of Basketball Operations, Strategy and Innovation.

Her role will be helping construct the roster and finding potential talent, overseeing basketball operations, and analyzing player performance. Battle has previously worked as the NBA G League affiliate and scout for the Boston Celtics, as well as the Assistant General Manager for the Maine Celtics.

“It’s exciting to be part of a franchise that’s reimagining what player development and team culture can look like,” Battle shared. “Having been in the players’ shoes, I know how powerful it is when an organization invests in every aspect of an athlete’s growth. The Fire is building something special, and I’m proud to now be contributing to that vision.”

Battle helped lead the University of Connecticut (UCONN) women’s basketball program to three consecutive NCAA championships (2002–04) and was the 2003 Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

“Ashley’s multi-dimensional experience uniquely positions her to help the Portland Fire build a modern, holistic women’s basketball organization,” Portland Fire General Manager Vanja Černivec added. “Her insight as a former player will be especially invaluable from day one as we shape the future of this team.”

Battle was drafted 25th overall in the 2005 WNBA Draft and spent six seasons in the league, mainly with the New York Liberty. She won a gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship as a member of the USA Women’s U18 National Team.

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