The Portland Fire are turning to one of the WNBA’s most accomplished expansion builders to guide their new era. The franchise announced Monday that Vanja Černivec has been named its first General Manager. She will oversee all basketball operations — from hiring the inaugural head coach to assembling the roster — when she begins her role Sept. 15.
“Vanja is a visionary, and we are confident she will help define what this franchise can be,” Fire co-owner and governor Lisa Bhathal Merage said. “As a foundational leader in this new chapter for the Fire, she brings the experience, integrity, and passion for advancing the women’s game that this moment demands.”
From Launching Golden State to Leading Portland
Černivec serves as Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest franchise. Golden State has been the surprise of the 2025 season, already posting 19 wins in its debut campaign — the most ever by an expansion club — and positioning itself firmly in the playoff picture with two weeks left in the regular season.
“I am honored to join the Fire with a vision to build the most innovative and groundbreaking team in women’s basketball,” Černivec said. “Portland is a city with a deep passion for the game, and I want this team to reflect that energy in this new era – rooted in legacy, fueled by passion, and driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence.”
Her fingerprints are all over the fast rise. Černivec guided the Valkyries through the 2024 Expansion Draft and 2025 WNBA Draft, oversaw day-to-day operations, and played a key role in building the coaching and support staff. That blueprint now shifts north to Portland, which has yet to play a game but has already generated momentum with more than 13,000 season-ticket deposits since unveiling its name and brand identity.
Portland Fire Add Global Basketball Résumé
Before her work in Golden State, Černivec was General Manager of the London Lions women’s team, where she helped deliver the club’s first FIBA EuroCup Women’s title and back-to-back British league championships. She also held the role of Global Director of Academy for Super League Basketball, overseeing player development pathways.
Her international reach extended through six years with the NBA, where she worked on the NBA Academy Women’s Program across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and served as technical director for Basketball Without Borders camps. From 2020 to 2022, she broke barriers as the Chicago Bulls’ first female international scout.
A native of Slovenia, Černivec holds degrees in international relations and sports marketing, bringing both basketball expertise and global perspective to Portland’s launch.
The Fire are scheduled to begin play in the 2026 WNBA season, with Černivec now tasked with laying the foundation for a franchise designed to be competitive from day one.
Editor's Pick
Paige Bueckers: 44-Point Performance Seals ROY Race