Sen. Wyden: Portland’s ‘unprecedented interest’ in women’s sports paved way for WNBA return

PORTLAND, Ore. () — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sat down with KOIN 6 News Thursday to talk about a variety of issues at home and abroad, including Portland's recent win of getting a WNBA expansion franchise .

Wyden long championed the return of a WNBA franchise to the Rose City. He said in part it's due to Portland's "unprecedented interest" in women's sports, as illustrated by local hot spot The Sports Bra, which helped convince WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to greenlight the move.

Wyden also weighed in on the escalating war in the Middle East , school shootings in the U.S. and what the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates means for struggling families.

Watch the full interview in the video player above.