Call it an inauspicious start for the Portland Fire.
The WNBA expansion franchise reportedly published and quickly deleted a LinkedIn post naming Alex Sarama as their first head coach on Tuesday.
Sarama is indeed expected to be named to the position, though the contract has yet to be finalized, Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports reported.
Sarama, who was born in England and attended the University of Nottingham, heads to the Fire after one year with the Cleveland Cavaliers as director of player development. He was moved to the bench as an assistant coach in July.
Prior to joining the Cavaliers, Sarama held the same titles with the Portland Trail Blazers’ G League affiliate Rip City Remix.
The Fire are set to start play in 2026. They hired Vanja Černivec as general manager in August.
Portland will enter the WNBA alongside the Toronto Tempo, who have yet to name a head coach.
The Tempo experienced an accidental leak of their own when their nickname appeared on the league website briefly before the official announcement was set to be made.