9 months
Tenure
About Vanja Černivec
Vanja Černivec is the inaugural General Manager of the Portland Fire, the WNBA expansion franchise, and oversees all of the new team's basketball operations.
A former professional player, Černivec moved into the NBA after her playing career, spending six years in talent-focused roles — including a stint with the Chicago Bulls from 2020 to 2022, during which she became the first woman to scout internationally for the team. She then took on leadership roles with the London Lions of Super League Basketball, serving as general manager of the women's team and global director of the academy, where she helped the Lions win their first FIBA EuroCup Women's title and back-to-back domestic championships in 2023 and 2024. She joined the WNBA as vice president of basketball operations for the Golden State Valkyries — helping build the winningest expansion team in league history — before being named the Portland Fire's first GM.
Fun facts
- She is the first-ever general manager of the Portland Fire.
- During her time with the Chicago Bulls she became the first woman to scout internationally for the franchise.
- As a GM with the London Lions she helped the club win its first FIBA EuroCup Women's title and consecutive domestic championships in 2023 and 2024.