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City officials hosted members of the Portland Trail Blazers organization at city hall on Thursday in an effort to finally make progress on a deal for taxpayer-funded stadium renovations to the Moda Center. Instead, it seems the team used that meeting as an opportunity to take shots at the city and its citizens.
As reported by Dirk VanderHart of OPB, city officials were informed that owner Tom Dundon and fellow team executives want more than just a $575 million renovation of the Moda Center funded by the city to ensure the Trail Blazers remain there long-term. They also want the city’s “divisive political environment” to be changed and for it to become more corporate friendly
Related: Tom Dundon’s Approach is a Troubling Sign for Future for Pro Sports
Hankins, speaking on behalf of the organization, made it clear that the contributions moving forward for the arena renovations “need to come from the public sector.” However, even if that were to be approved, Portland’s NBA franchise wants the city to be reshaped economically and politically in a way that the organization deems would make it both easier to invest in and attract corporate sponsors.
It is worth remembering the fact that we are just months removed from Dundon’s group of investors buying Portland’s NBA franchise for $4 billion this spring. The sale was approved by NBA owners at the end of March and, at least initially, Dundon expressed receptiveness to negotiating a long-term stadium lease with the city.
Related: Portland Trail Blazers Exec Takes Shot at City, Fuels Relocation Fears
Multiple city officials indicated to VanderHart that the Trail Blazers’ organization has acted “uncooperative and absent” in negotiations throughout the process. There’s also been increased speculation that Dundon’s ultimate goal might be to relocate the Trail Blazers long-term.
The problem with that, however, is that the two most desired and lucrative locations for relocation (Seattle and Las Vegas) are effectively blocked because the NBA is targeting those cities for expansion. So, at least for now, it seems like Dundon is using the team as leverage to both reshape Portland’s political climate and economic structure all the while wanting taxpayer-funded arena renovations with the threat of moving the NBA franchise at some point to an unknown location.
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As reported by Dirk VanderHart of OPB, city officials were informed that owner Tom Dundon and fellow team executives want more than just a $575 million renovation of the Moda Center funded by the city to ensure the Trail Blazers remain there long-term. They also want the city’s “divisive political environment” to be changed and for it to become more corporate friendly
Related: Tom Dundon’s Approach is a Troubling Sign for Future for Pro Sports
Hankins, speaking on behalf of the organization, made it clear that the contributions moving forward for the arena renovations “need to come from the public sector.” However, even if that were to be approved, Portland’s NBA franchise wants the city to be reshaped economically and politically in a way that the organization deems would make it both easier to invest in and attract corporate sponsors.
It is worth remembering the fact that we are just months removed from Dundon’s group of investors buying Portland’s NBA franchise for $4 billion this spring. The sale was approved by NBA owners at the end of March and, at least initially, Dundon expressed receptiveness to negotiating a long-term stadium lease with the city.
Related: Portland Trail Blazers Exec Takes Shot at City, Fuels Relocation Fears
Multiple city officials indicated to VanderHart that the Trail Blazers’ organization has acted “uncooperative and absent” in negotiations throughout the process. There’s also been increased speculation that Dundon’s ultimate goal might be to relocate the Trail Blazers long-term.
The problem with that, however, is that the two most desired and lucrative locations for relocation (Seattle and Las Vegas) are effectively blocked because the NBA is targeting those cities for expansion. So, at least for now, it seems like Dundon is using the team as leverage to both reshape Portland’s political climate and economic structure all the while wanting taxpayer-funded arena renovations with the threat of moving the NBA franchise at some point to an unknown location.
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