Vanja Cernivec Named Inaugural General Manager Of Fire

The Portland Fire named Vanja Cernivec as the team’s inaugural general manager on Monday.

Cernivec is currently the Golden State Valkyries vice president of basketball operations.

Cernivec was previously the general manager of the London Lions and built a team that won the EuroCup women’s championship in 2024.

Cernivec also worked as an international scout for the Bulls. 

Cernivec will finish the season with the Valkyries before starting the job on September 15.

The Fire, who are set to begin play in 2026, have yet to hire a head coach.