Ben Pickman, who previously covered basketball for Sports Illustrated and The Athletic, has been hired by the Portland Fire as a salary cap and strategy analyst. The Fire are preparing for their return to the WNBA after their original franchise operated from 2000-2002.
A former basketball journalist is making the transition from covering sports to working behind the scenes in professional women’s basketball.
Ben Pickman has been brought on board by the Portland Fire as their new salary cap and strategy analyst, according to a Monday report from Front Office Sports.
Pickman’s journalism career included a four-year stint at Sports Illustrated from 2018 through 2022, where he reported on both collegiate and professional basketball. He later transitioned to The Athletic, focusing specifically on women’s basketball coverage including both the WNBA and college levels.
In January, Pickman revealed he was departing from The Athletic, hinting that he had “more to come soon” while keeping details about his next move under wraps.
The Portland franchise is assembling their administrative team as they gear up for their return to professional women’s basketball. The city previously hosted a WNBA team under the same Fire name that competed from 2000 through 2002. Leading the organization as general manager is Vanja Cernivec, who brings experience from her previous role with the Golden State Valkyries during their inaugural WNBA season in 2025.
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