Portland’s Push to Keep the Trail Blazers: Inside the High-Stakes Arena Renovation Talks
There’s a full-court press happening in Oregon right now-and it’s not on the hardwood. As the Portland Trail Blazers navigate a period of ownership transition and uncertainty about their long-term future in the city, state and local leaders are scrambling to put together a funding package that would keep the team rooted in Rip City.
At the center of the effort is a $600 million renovation plan for the Moda Center, the Blazers’ home since 1995. The arena, while iconic, is showing its age and has never undergone a major renovation. With the team’s lease set to expire in 2030 and the NCAA Women’s Final Four headed to Portland that same year, the clock is ticking.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is taking the lead on the political side. On January 30, she held a 15-minute phone call with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver-a strategic move to signal her commitment to keeping the Blazers in Portland for the long haul. According to her office, Kotek used the call to reiterate her support for the renovation deal and to emphasize the state's role in making it happen.
The funding proposal is complex, involving multiple layers of government. The state would shoulder the largest share, with a proposed $360 million in bonds backed by income taxes from players and performers at the Moda Center. The city of Portland and Multnomah County were initially expected to contribute $75 million each-Portland from its voter-approved climate fund, and the county from revenue generated by a motor vehicle rental tax.
But that initial framework has hit a snag.
At the heart of the issue is a newly discovered wrinkle involving $110 million in capital gains tax revenue from the pending sale of the team. Originally, all parties believed that money would go to the state.
But it turns out the funds will actually be distributed as business tax revenue to the city, county, and Metro, the regional government. Metro’s $20 million slice is earmarked for homeless services.
That leaves approximately $50 million for the city and $40 million for Multnomah County.
Portland has already agreed to reinvest its portion of the tax windfall into the arena project. Multnomah County, however, hasn’t made the same commitment. Some county officials see the unexpected $40 million as an opportunity to support other underfunded programs, and they’re hesitant to stack it on top of their original $75 million pledge.
That’s where the Trail Blazers are pushing back. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the team believes the county should honor the spirit of the original deal-when everyone thought the capital gains tax would be state money-and contribute the $40 million in addition to the $75 million already pledged. From the Blazers’ perspective, this isn’t about changing the rules midgame; it’s about staying true to the original game plan.
So far, there’s been no formal commitment from the county to do that. But there are signs of movement.
Multnomah County Commissioner Shannon Singleton acknowledged the franchise’s importance to the region, both economically and culturally, and expressed a willingness to consider adding more funding to the deal. She also emphasized the importance of labor and community benefit agreements being part of any renovation plan.
Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards pushed back on the idea of tension between the county and the team. In a statement, she said the county has proposed a contribution that matches the amount requested-while also balancing its fiscal responsibilities. She added that the county is waiting to see more details from the state, city, and the Blazers themselves before finalizing any commitments.
Meanwhile, the legislative clock is ticking. Oregon lawmakers just wrapped up the first week of their 35-day short session, which runs through March 8.
The Blazers had hoped to secure commitments from local governments before introducing a bill in the Legislature. That hasn’t happened yet, and the window to act is narrowing.
The city’s plan to tap into its clean energy fund has already stirred controversy, and the uncertainty at the county level is only complicating matters further.
All of this comes at a pivotal moment for the franchise. The Allen Estate, which has overseen team operations since the passing of longtime owner Paul Allen, is preparing to hand over the reins to incoming owner Tom Dundon. If a funding deal isn’t in place before that transition, the team could enter a new ownership era without a clear long-term vision for its home arena.
And that opens the door to relocation talk-something Portland fans don’t want to hear, but can’t ignore.
The Moda Center lease runs through 2030, but without major renovations, the building could quickly fall behind the modern standards expected across the league. If the public funding falls through, Dundon-whose business roots are in Texas-would have options. While there’s no official word on where the team might go, cities like Seattle have long been floated as potential destinations for an NBA franchise.
Interestingly, just days after Kotek’s call with Silver, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson also reached out to the NBA commissioner. A spokesperson for the league confirmed Ferguson initiated the conversation to introduce himself. Whether Portland’s situation came up is unclear, but the timing certainly raises eyebrows.
For now, Portland’s leaders are working overtime to keep the Trail Blazers where they belong. The team is a cultural cornerstone in the Pacific Northwest, and the stakes of these negotiations go far beyond basketball. What happens over the next few weeks could shape the future of professional sports in Oregon for decades to come.