Canzano says Blazers being prepared for auction

[julius]

Nobody, nobody thought the City of Seatlle would let their Sonics move. The politics of not finding a way to fund/refurb an arena allowed the Okie to pull up his tent and move. And the league approved it.

In the case of the Sonics, it was the perfect storm.

They didn't own the arena (Blazers do). Their owner was frugal as hell (their owner was barely a billionaire when the Sonics were sold). The city of Seattle just paid for the demolition of the Kingdome, the building of the new baseball stadium and a football stadium (Portland has none of that). Their arena was insufficient by NBA standards (the RG is still really nice, tho old). They were 1 of 3 (at the time) major league sports teams and also UW....(Portland has (checks notes) the Timbers).

Another thing that Portland has in its favor is the backlash the NBA still faces for creating a hole in the market by having Seattle leave for OKC. I really doubt that most Sonic fans would want the Blazers to move there anyways (as much as they'd probably laugh at the idea of Portland losing a team, they know what it's like and deep down inside they wouldn't want that for this market).

Having a team in Portland AND Seattle is smarter, better and financially viable than only having a team in Seattle, or only having a team in Portland. But if the NBA wants to basically alienate a fanbase that has been loyal and strong for going on 46 years now (the first 6 seasons weren't as strong as the next 45), they'll end up losing the fans to other things.

I know if they were to leave Portland, I'd never watch another NBA game again. Even if a team came back to Portland. I stopped watching the NHL when they had their strike out year, and haven't paid attention since.

 

[Hoopguru]

In the case of the Sonics, it was the perfect storm.

They didn't own the arena (Blazers do). Their owner was frugal as hell (their owner was barely a billionaire when the Sonics were sold). The city of Seattle just paid for the demolition of the Kingdome, the building of the new baseball stadium and a football stadium (Portland has none of that). Their arena was insufficient by NBA standards (the RG is still really nice, tho old). They were 1 of 3 (at the time) major league sports teams and also UW....(Portland has (checks notes) the Timbers).

Another thing that Portland has in its favor is the backlash the NBA still faces for creating a hole in the market by having Seattle leave for OKC. I really doubt that most Sonic fans would want the Blazers to move there anyways (as much as they'd probably laugh at the idea of Portland losing a team, they know what it's like and deep down inside they wouldn't want that for this market).

Having a team in Portland AND Seattle is smarter, better and financially viable than only having a team in Seattle, or only having a team in Portland. But if the NBA wants to basically alienate a fanbase that has been loyal and strong for going on 46 years now (the first 6 seasons weren't as strong as the next 45), they'll end up losing the fans to other things.

I know if they were to leave Portland, I'd never watch another NBA game again. Even if a team came back to Portland. I stopped watching the NHL when they had their strike out year, and haven't paid attention since.

I think its was his intention to move the team from the get go as the league didn't require/demand it stays in Seattle or surrounding area. There were groups willing to build outside of Seattle but politics and pride got in the way.

 

[julius]

I think its was his intention to move the team from the get go as the league didn't require/demand it stays in Seattle or surrounding area. There were groups willing to build outside of Seattle but politics and pride got in the way.

there is definitely enough blame to go around. And there is no doubt that the group from OKC bought the team with the 100% intention of moving it, and never made a serious attempt to keep it there.

 

[riverman]

yeah...I don't want to connect the Sonics sale and move to the Blazers being sold....ours is a case of same ship new captain....

 

[STOMP]

Adam Silver ain't perfect, and yes, David Stern did help bring the NBA out of the stone age, but fuck that guy.

there once was a thread about who you would like to punch in the face. I posted a closeup of Stern.

He deserves credit for "bringing the NBA out of the stone age" as the 10th man on the bench deserves credit for a championship... that was Magic, Bird & MJ. He was along for the ride in the golden era of hoops while always putting his face in front of the cameras

STOMP

 

[wizenheimer]

there once was a thread about who you would like to punch in the face. I posted a closeup of Stern.

that's only because you didn't have my picture

https://www.google.com/search?sourc...HdNpABEQjJkEegQIAhAC&biw=1280&bih=567&dpr=1.5

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

The Trail Blazers are never leaving Portland. Ever. The NBA would never allow it, there is no reason for it, never will be.

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Blazers MUST be sold.
https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/05/2...trail-blazers-sale-expected-within-18-months/

"Those familiar with the details of the Paul G. Allen Trust tell me there isn’t a lot of wiggle room for trustee, Jody Allen. The trust was established in 1993 and includes billions in assets, including the NBA’s Trail Blazers and NFL’s Seattle Seahawks."

“Paul directed that the trust be liquidated upon his death and the assets used to fund his passion projects,” a source said. “None of this is up in the air. The instructions are clear: The sports franchises and everything in the trust must be sold.”

Insiders expect the Blazers to be positioned for auction in the next 6-18 months.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Had hoped Paul Allen setup the Blazers to be given to the fans or sold to a deserving owner or something we didn't know about. Guess I'm a tiny bit disappointed it appears the only terms to dispose of the team is whatever gets his trust the most dollars.

He probably has tons of the proceeds in this trust earmarked for cancer research or other great causes. So arguably that would do much more good than just helping us fans.

I think it would've been really cool to have an almost Green Bay like ownership setup of the Blazers.

 

[SlyPokerCat]

With the way some fans think we will be contenders next year.....would you really want that?

 

[tykendo]

The Trail Blazers are never leaving Portland. Ever. The NBA would never allow it, there is no reason for it, never will be.

I would hope not. Great fan base, and great attendance. Even with tanking, most fans understood what had to be done, and still attended. Memphis has terrible attendance, except when their winning , or in the playoffs. Nothing compared to Portland. That being said, what worries me is their seems to be no Big Fish who is locally connected. Phil Knight has been great as far as his philanthropist endeavors locally, but he has stated he's not interested in the Blazers ownership wise. College is his game. We need someone who is vested in the team staying. I don't want to hear about leases, or other BS. Some tech magnate could see that as chump change. Hopefully a new owner will buy in to this great franchise, and it's fan base. I don't say "Great" lightly in the Portland case. Portland truly is the "Green Bay" of NBA franchises. And should not be lost.

 

[tykendo]

Had hoped Paul Allen setup the Blazers to be given to the fans or sold to a deserving owner or something we didn't know about. Guess I'm a tiny bit disappointed it appears the only terms to dispose of the team is whatever gets his trust the most dollars.

He probably has tons of the proceeds in this trust earmarked for cancer research or other great causes. So arguably that would do much more good than just helping us fans.

I think it would've been really cool to have an almost Green Bay like ownership setup of the Blazers.

Not sure that would work in the NBA. Green Bay's city ownership is a weird situation. Yet it hasn't stopped capital projects (stadium expansion), and FA signings from happening. So it works. The NFL would NEVER allow the Packers to move. I don't trust the NBA , in any way, to do the same with Portland. All we have is hope right now.

 

[e_blazer]

Not sure that would work in the NBA. Green Bay's city ownership is a weird situation. Yet it hasn't stopped capital projects (stadium expansion), and FA signings from happening. So it works. The NFL would NEVER allow the Packers to move. I don't trust the NBA , in any way, to do the same with Portland. All we have is hope right now.

Hope, fan base and geography argue pretty strongly against the Blazers being moved. Look at this map of league fan affiliation:

The West is drastically underserved with teams. That makes travel distances longer and more expensive and dilutes chances for regional rivalries. I’d say the most likely future for the NBA would be to keep the Blazers where they are, add teams in Vegas and Seattle, and shift the Grizzlies to the East.

 

[BigGameDamian]

https://www.blazersedge.com/platfor...buying-portland-trail-blazers-mackenzie-scott

Jeff Bezos’ Ex-Wife Interested In Buying Blazers?

The Blazers could have a new potential buyer.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Just to let you know, MacKenzie Scott lives in Seattle.

 

[STOMP]

Would wholeheartedly love it if MacKenzie were to be the new Blazers owner as she seems pretty awesome with her charity efforts. From the little I know of her, totally different vibe then the Oracle mogle Ellison.

As an aside, though they didn't maintain contact she went to grade school with my gal

STOMP

 

[tykendo]

Hope, fan base and geography argue pretty strongly against the Blazers being moved. Look at this map of league fan affiliation:

The West is drastically underserved with teams. That makes travel distances longer and more expensive and dilutes chances for regional rivalries. I’d say the most likely future for the NBA would be to keep the Blazers where they are, add teams in Vegas and Seattle, and shift the Grizzlies to the East.

Looking at this map, it's obvious the Lakers should move to Vegas. Vegas ,actually has a lake (Mead), and is full of relics.

 

[tykendo]

Vegas is building another arena, 20,000 seats, and the rumor is the NBA will announce 2 new expansion franchises ( Seattle, Las Vegas) in 2024. Most likely in association with the new TV Deal. I like this rumor. A lot.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

there once was a thread about who you would like to punch in the face. I posted a closeup of Stern.

He deserves credit for "bringing the NBA out of the stone age" as the 10th man on the bench deserves credit for a championship... that was Magic, Bird & MJ. He was along for the ride in the golden era of hoops while always putting his face in front of the cameras

STOMP

Hello.

I could not agree with this more. And just to add on….There are many HOF’ers from that same era who never even won a ring. That era was so stacked with talent, I don't think we will ever see anything like it again. Many teams back then would be considered near super teams now.
Just to name some key players without a ring?
Barkley
Malone
Stockton
Kevin Johnson
Clyde
Ewing

This is just a handful of perennial all stars who could not win it all because of the three players you mentioned.
With technology taking an increasing percentage of our youth’s entertainment time, I do not think we will ever see a talent pool like we did from 85-95.

 

[BigGameDamian]

So MacKenzie Scott won’t want to move the team to Seattle?

 

[blazerkor]

Hello.

I could not agree with this more. And just to add on….There are many HOF’ers from that same era who never even won a ring. That era was so stacked with talent, I don't think we will ever see anything like it again. Many teams back then would be considered near super teams now.
Just to name some key players without a ring?
Barkley
Malone
Stockton
Kevin Johnson
Clyde
Ewing

This is just a handful of perennial all stars who could not win it all because of the three players you mentioned.
With technology taking an increasing percentage of our youth’s entertainment time, I do not think we will ever see a talent pool like we did from 85-95.

Whether Clyde haters like to admit it or not he did win that championship with his guy Hakeem in his hometown in '95.

 

[Hoopguru]

Id prefer any new own not be from Seattle.

 

[julius]

Whether Clyde haters like to admit it or not he did win that championship with his guy Hakeem in his hometown in '95.

I refuse to admit that Clyde won a title. Nope, didn't happen. NUH UH!

 

[julius]

Id prefer any new own not be from Seattle.

The only reason I hope they're not from Seattle is so paranoid fans won't constantly freak out that they're from Seattle.

Because deep down inside I don't give a shit where the new owner is from. They could be from India, gay, atheist, muslim, catholic, jewish, black, white, straight, childless or an artificial life-form. As long as they keep the team in Portland and field a competitive team, that's all I care about.

 

[blazerkor]

I refuse to admit that Clyde won a title. Nope, didn't happen. NUH UH!

I was happy for him, he was my childhood hero and it was heartbreaking that it couldn't be done with us but I felt he deserved a ring and was glad he got it in his hometown. I wish he was a bigger part of what our organization is now but it makes sense for him to be involved with the team where he won a ring, the city he grew up in and the city where he went to college and played for a national championship. For me he's still Clyde The Glide and always will be.

 

[Tince]

I was happy for him, he was my childhood hero and it was heartbreaking that it couldn't be done with us but I felt he deserved a ring and was glad he got it in his hometown. I wish he was a bigger part of what our organization is now but it makes sense for him to be involved with the team where he won a ring, the city he grew up in and the city where he went to college and played for a national championship. For me he's still Clyde The Glide and always will be.

I like you LOVED Clyde as a kid. I wore #22 my entire childhood. It wasn't until I became an adult where I'd have people tell me first hand accounts of how much of a jerk he was. And in the last decade I've seen how hard he's tried to distance himself from being a Blazer. Clyde's stock has dropped hard in my eyes. His great play 30 years ago can only count for so much.

 

[wizenheimer]

Whether Clyde haters like to admit it or not he did win that championship with his guy Hakeem in his hometown in '95.

so did Mario Elie

 

[blazerkor]

so did Mario Elie

Elie didn't grow up or play college ball in Houston.

 

[blazerkor]

I like you LOVED Clyde as a kid. I wore #22 my entire childhood. It wasn't until I became an adult where I'd have people tell me first hand accounts of how much of a jerk he was. And in the last decade I've seen how hard he's tried to distance himself from being a Blazer. Clyde's stock has dropped hard in my eyes. His great play 30 years ago can only count for so much.

When I'd talk to him on court after games or have him sign my shit, he was always really nice to me. He would actually say more than a word or two. So everything else to me is hearsay. What he tipped isn't a concern of mine. I also have no idea of what effort this team has made to have him be a part of what we are now... I don't know what we do in that regard for Walton either. Given the way this franchise has been run, I wouldn't assume that they've been incredibly ingraciating to their former stars.