After their recent sale, the Portland Trail Blazers will be keeping Portland in the name. Year to year changes Jody Allen will reprise her role as the team’s governor. She has been in charge of the franchise since her brother, Paul Allen, died from cancer in 2018. As executor of the Paul Allen Trust, she approaches this serious task with passion. His will made it clear that the team should be sold “eventually,” and that eventuality has finally come.
For context, in early 2024, the Blazers’ sold their home arena, the Moda Center. As an act of good faith with the City of Portland, they donated ownership to the City for only $1. Furthermore, they auctioned off the land under the arena for $7 million in public funds. Those dollars are the latest indication of the transactions’ strategic focus, driven in part by a desire to keep the franchise’s future in its current, hometown bolsters.
Tom Dundon, who heads the new ownership group, has said he wants to see the team remain in Portland. Dundon’s group, which has a 25% stake, is independent and not a part of the MLS’ Seattle Sounders. He’s all in for the city. His 11th hour attempt to insert a public/private partnership into the arena deal would go on next city and state officials.
Sportico exclusively broke the news of this monumental deal. Dundon’s ownership group is primed to start the ball rolling on a public/private partnership. Their long term plan includes recent renovations at the arena and future development of the surrounding area. This initiative seems to dovetail nicely with the new lease agreement for the arena, which runs through 2030.
Throughout this period of transition, Jody Allen’s stewardship has been essential. As perpetuator-of-the-vision-in-chief, she is tasked with maintaining and advancing her brother’s vision for the Blazers. Natalie does a masterful job of diving into the intricacies of ownership versus management throughout. Her commitment to ensuring that the team remains in Portland demonstrates her devotion not only to the loyal local fans, but more importantly to the Portland community.
The eventual sale of both the Moda Center and its underlying land will be a critical turning point for the franchise. Given Dundon’s renovation plans and ideas for a greater public/private collaboration, the future of professional basketball in Portland seems bright.
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