Inside the Push to Keep the Trail Blazers in Portland: What’s at Stake and Who’s Stepping Up
There’s a lot more than just basketball on the line in Oregon right now. As the Portland Trail Blazers prepare for a new era under incoming owner Tom Dundon, state and local leaders are making their move to ensure the franchise’s future stays rooted in Rip City.
Dundon, a Texas billionaire who already owns the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, has agreed to purchase the Blazers from the Paul Allen estate for $4.25 billion. The NBA’s Board of Governors is expected to approve the sale this spring. But as the ink dries, the question hanging over Portland is clear: will Dundon keep the team in town, or could relocation be on the table?
Governor Tina Kotek has already started laying the groundwork to keep that from happening. She’s been in direct contact with Dundon, describing him as “very straightforward” and emphasizing that their early conversations have been about building a relationship and finding common ground.
“I don’t think he’s come into this with the idea that he wants to move the team,” Kotek said. “He wants a deal that makes this work for the team, and I think that’s where we’re headed.”
That “deal” centers on a proposed $600 million renovation of the Moda Center - a major public-private investment aimed at modernizing the aging arena and locking the Blazers into a long-term lease. Right now, the team’s current lease only runs through 2030. That’s not exactly a comforting timeline when you consider how quickly franchises can be lured away by cities eager to land an NBA team.
To get ahead of that possibility, Kotek and a coalition of state lawmakers, city officials, and business leaders are backing Senate Bill 1501. The bill would create a framework for redirecting public dollars - including income taxes from Blazers players and other performers at the arena - to finance the renovation through bonds.
The goal? Secure a 20-year lease extension and ensure the Blazers stay put.
“If we let the Blazers slip away just like Seattle did with the SuperSonics, there will be cities lining up,” said House Majority Leader Ben Bowman during a hearing in Salem. “Investing in an institution like this, it’s not about nostalgia. It’s about foresight.”
Kotek has also been in touch with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who she says has expressed support for Portland’s efforts. While there’s been no formal guarantee from the league that the $600 million package would be enough to completely rule out relocation, Kotek said Silver indicated the proposal was “in the ballpark.”
“Commissioner Silver is a big fan of Portland and the Blazers,” she said. “He’s got to do what’s right for the league, but what I heard from him was, ‘You’re putting the right things out there and just keep pushing.’”
The bill is quickly becoming a top priority for Democratic lawmakers in the short legislative session, which wraps up March 8. With the state facing a tight budget and juggling other major issues like transportation and immigration, this proposal is being positioned as a long-term investment in Oregon’s economic and cultural future.
Senator Kate Lieber, who chairs the Ways and Means Committee, called the bill “a first step,” noting that a bonding bill would come later. “Unless we take the first step,” she said, “we’re never going to get to the next 20.”
The renovation plan is a multi-layered effort, with contributions expected from the state, the city of Portland, and Multnomah County. Senate President Rob Wagner’s bill would allow the state to negotiate a new lease with the team and divert income taxes from Moda Center events to repay the bonds.
Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson told lawmakers the county is ready to commit $88 million to the project, up from a previous pledge of $77 million. That funding would come from sources like the county’s motor vehicle rental tax and business income tax.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, who appeared alongside Kotek in Salem, said the city plans to put up $120 million in upfront costs and contribute $14 million annually. While some questions remain about exactly where that money will come from - particularly amid concerns about tapping into the city’s clean energy fund - Wilson pointed to event-related revenue like ticket fees and parking as potential sources.
The Moda Center, which opened in 1995 as the Rose Garden, isn’t just home to the Blazers. It hosts over 230 events each year and supports roughly 4,500 jobs. It’s also set to host the 2030 NCAA Women’s Final Four - an event that SportOregon CEO Jim Etzel called the biggest sporting event Portland has ever landed.
But not everyone is on board just yet. Senator Bruce Starr, a Republican from Dundee and vice-chair of the Rules Committee, questioned whether a 20-year lease is enough of a commitment if public dollars are footing the renovation bill. He pointed out that the original arena was built with less public investment and came with a 30-year lease.
Trail Blazers president Dewayne Hankins responded by saying that while a 30-year deal might sound appealing, modern arenas typically have a lifespan of about 50 years - and the renovations would be designed to carry the Moda Center through the next two decades.
“The work that has to be done to the building we believe can sustain it for the next 20 years,” Hankins said.
Starr also asked whether the team had considered building an entirely new arena to create a longer runway. Hankins said that option would cost twice as much and that renovating the existing building was the more responsible path forward.
At its core, this isn’t just about bricks, seats, and scoreboards - it’s about making sure the Trail Blazers remain a pillar of Portland’s identity and economy. For a city that’s seen its share of challenges in recent years, keeping the Blazers in town isn’t just a sports story. It’s a statement about what Portland values and where it’s headed next.