Wweek.com - Portland Must Confront the Real Danger of Losing the Blazers

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I think it makes the most sense by far that the Blazers stay in Portland. I don't care that the idea that the Mayor and Governor are most into is refurbishing/renovating what was once known as the Rose Garden. The fact that they're talking like they're into the idea of the state and city sharing a significant portion of the multibillion dollar financial burden to keep the Blazers here is way more than what we saw in Seattle. Before Bennett was even the owner there was a ton of posturing by local and state politicians that the public shouldn't share in the burden with a billionaire... and they didn't.

So I think we're in a far different place than Seattle was when they started to lose their team (our politicians are saying they want to work to keep the team). The league is in a far different place than it was back then (way more profitable). We are a far different market than Seattle because while the Seattle metro area is just shy of two times the size of the Portland metro area, Seattle had three major pro sports teams when they lost the Sonics and we have only the Blazers (The Timber are fun but let's be real).

All in all I'm sure I'm not going to quiet the chicken littles of the forum but there is no reason to think that our team will get moved.
So you think it makes the most sense for the NBA to keep a team in Portland?
 
Portland would be kinda lame without the Blazers. Just my opinion.

My biggest fear is Vegas. Mark Davis increased his net worth from 500 M to 2.3 B by moving to Vegas.

Vegas with Yang(if he hits) would be massive.

Exactly this. I’m not even worried about Seattle. Would make little to no sense just to move us from Portland to Seattle.

Vegas is the one that worries me the most.
 
you mean the 'chicken littles' like Ron Wyden. the governor, Chris Dudley, Portland's mayor, former Blazers, and loca businessmen who are concerned enough to be taking steps to try and eliminate the possibility?
So politicians are taking steps to manufacture non-existent accomplishments? Yeah this must be the first time ever.
 
So you think it makes the most sense for the NBA to keep a team in Portland?
If the NBA 29 other teams were all in NY, Chicago, LA, etc then no.

That's not reality. The NBA has plenty of poor performing teams that make more sense to move than the Blazers.
 
Where are they going to build it?
Either at the Rose Quarter (replace the Rose Garden?) or someplace else in Portland.

We're not going to lose the Blazers for lack of trying. There will be no legitimate reason to move the team like happened in Seattle, IMO.

*Edit* Maybe you demo the whole rose quarter and put in a state of the art basketball stadium and baseball stadium (centered around the memorial).

The point is that the state and the city want the team to stay. They aren't playing hardball, they're trying to figure out what they need to do to keep the team here.

We know there's plenty of support from the community.

What needs to happen to keep the team here will happen.
 
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Portland Must Confront the Real Danger of Losing the Blazers
It’s that nightmare that spurred community leaders into an alliance—never previously reported—aimed at keeping the team here.

This is why the BuyTheBlazers.com community-centric effort is so important! We can show the team and others who may become involved how much we support them. Plus, we can have a "seat at the table", as well as give large amounts of money back to the community/charities/those in need annually! Thanks - Jon (Founder of BuyTheBlazers.com)
 
I don't think the mayor's office with the endorsement of the governor puts out a statement like they did yesterday without knowing what the costs they're committing to are. I guess I could be wrong and as soon as the new owner is announced it becomes a bumpy and drama filled process but all of the signs from local and state government and commerce point towards something smooth.

talk is cheap. Coming up with the money to support the talk is another matter. And the governor and mayor talked about a Moda renovation and implied they were rejecting the idea of a new arena. Maybe that will be enough, but just about everything I've read about this seems to say that it isn't so much the Moda that's the problem, but the location. Really difficult to renovate a location

and sure, this looks like a leverage play by the NBA and potential new owners. The city and state can certainly find justification for rejecting the leverage if the purpose of the leverage is to coerce the city to fork over a billion dollars.
 
The thing about Seattle is they didn't put up a fight, the city, state, or the people really. Portland would be a waaay different scenario.
 
If the NBA 29 other teams were all in NY, Chicago, LA, etc then no.

That's not reality. The NBA has plenty of poor performing teams that make more sense to move than the Blazers.
Of course, but right now, Portland the team for sale
 
Seattle, Vegas…sort of
You just typed that to type that FAMS!
There ISN’T a team in Seattle also Minneapolis, Memphis and New Orleans are considered WEST teams….that’s how much they need a team in Portland. Now unless you got a pizza headed your way, stay out of this.
 
The thing about Seattle is they didn't put up a fight, the city, state, or the people really. Portland would be a waaay different scenario.
With Seattle it was horrible timing. Taxpayers were with a few years of funding NFL+MLB new stadiums, there wasn't appetite that moment for a 3rd. Also the owners were happy to relocate. I think Clay Bennett would've stayed if Seattle funded a huge arena and maybe he'd just flip the team for a profit later but he was happy to move it.

Portland is a totally different situation since the Blazers are 100% of pro teams here. Seattle it was the distant 3rd. Blazers situation is much more comparable to Sacramento which ultimately kept the team even without having owners that wanted to stay.
 
Of course, but right now, Portland the team for sale
I'd bet New Orleans widow whatever her name is would sell if given a nice profit. She has the Saints and might welcome the NBA sale to boost the Saints as the sole pro sports team in NO.

Ultimately we'll just have to see who buys the Blazers.

Once the Blazers are sold it also may provide an incentive for numerous other franchises to sell if they can use the Lakers 10billion price and Blazers price to get a higher amount.
 
I'd bet New Orleans widow whatever her name is would sell if given a nice profit. She has the Saints and might welcome the NBA sale to boost the Saints as the sole pro sports team in NO.

Ultimately we'll just have to see who buys the Blazers.
No other team matters. Portland is the team right now.
 
I'd bet New Orleans widow whatever her name is would sell if given a nice profit. She has the Saints and might welcome the NBA sale to boost the Saints as the sole pro sports team in NO.

Ultimately we'll just have to see who buys the Blazers.

Once the Blazers are sold it also may provide an incentive for numerous other franchises to sell if they can use the Lakers 10billion price and Blazers price to get a higher amount.
Would Adam Silver say they need a new arena in NOLA? Because that place is disgusting! I actually feel bad for the players who have made the NBA and then have to go there every game to play. There are a handful like that.
 
No other team matters. Portland is the team right now.
False - prospective owners would know there are other teams that might sell for less as well as have an easier approval to move the franchise. Kings owners and prospective owners were not able to move the franchise as they wanted.

If the Blazers were at the bottom of the NBA in fan support, revenue, etc it would matter and be more likely the team could be relocated.
 
Would Adam Silver say they need a new arena in NOLA? Because that place is disgusting! I actually feel bad for the players who have made the NBA and then have to go there every game to play. There are a handful like that.
Silver might not say that if NO was being sold and the primary plan was to relocate.

It's funny how so many Blazer fans and media are freaking out with the comments. I take Silver comment as showing the NBA wants to keep the Blazers in Portland, but yes wants a new arena.

If the NBA wanted the Blazers to move Silver wouldn't bring up the arena.
 
I think Silver wants Portland to have the ability to host an allstar game which due to the lack of hotels and amenities in the neighborhood hasn't happened...Phil Knight had a plan for the neighborhood, the city should look into making the area more vibrant and attractive to visitors.
 
I doubt that the other owners have discussed Portland much at all. Why would they until someone tries to buy or move them?
Sure, Silver can influence the owners, but he has no vote in the matter. In the end, they will each vote on what is most beneficial to them individually.

Yes it seems likely they would want a team in the NW. So really, it comes down to whether or not the new owner would try to move them to Seattle.
 
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Silver might not say that if NO was being sold and the primary plan was to relocate.

It's funny how so many Blazer fans and media are freaking out with the comments. I take Silver comment as showing the NBA wants to keep the Blazers in Portland, but yes wants a new arena.

If the NBA wanted the Blazers to move Silver wouldn't bring up the arena.

Its common sense. Thanks for being right and in reality.
 
Said good morning to Portland’s mayor this morning in our neighborhood Starbucks, he pointed at my Blazers hoodie I was wearing and gave a thumbs up. Unfortunately a neighbor of mine was talking my ear off at that moment and I didn’t get a chance to talk to him. I swear on everything I’ll ask him about this new arena situation next time I see him walking thru.
 
Said good morning to Portland’s mayor this morning in our neighborhood Starbucks, he pointed at my Blazers hoodie I was wearing and gave a thumbs up. Unfortunately a neighbor of mine was talking my ear off at that moment and I didn’t get a chance to talk to him. I swear on everything I’ll ask him about this new arena situation next time I see him walking thru.
Do you think the public would support a portion of a new arena?
 
Said good morning to Portland’s mayor this morning in our neighborhood Starbucks, he pointed at my Blazers hoodie I was wearing and gave a thumbs up.

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Blazers aren’t gonna become the Sonics. NBA doesn’t want that. The only threat is Vegas, no one can convince me owners don’t want to be in that market. NFL and MLB have already beaten them to it. Vegas could have a new arena built in 18 months.
 
Blazers aren’t gonna become the Sonics. NBA doesn’t want that. The only threat is Vegas, no one can convince me owners don’t want to be in that market. NFL and MLB have already beaten them to it. Vegas could have a new arena built in 18 months.

If the NBA wants to be in Vegas so bad, they'd either A: find a way to put an expansion team there or B: move a team that actually is struggling and doesn't have a half century of solid history in one city.

Also, not sure they could "have a new arena built in 18 months", considering how long ago did they announce the A's were moving there? I think it's been more than 18 months.
 
If the NBA wants to be in Vegas so bad, they'd either A: find a way to put an expansion team there or B: move a team that actually is struggling and doesn't have a half century of solid history in one city.

Also, not sure they could "have a new arena built in 18 months", considering how long ago did they announce the A's were moving there? I think it's been more than 18 months.
Vegas already has the NHL T-Mobile arena ready for NBA games tomorrow.
 
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