Hold on tight, Trail Blazers fans—the future of your beloved team is hanging in the balance, and it’s anything but certain. Imagine cheering for a team that might not even be in Portland in five years. Yes, it’s that serious. As we hit the midpoint of the NBA season, the Portland Trail Blazers find themselves at a crossroads, with questions swirling at every level of the organization. From the seemingly trivial—like who’ll be the team’s standout player next season—to the downright existential, such as whether the team will stay in Portland or if the current coach will even still be around after facing wire fraud charges. It’s a rollercoaster, and we’re all strapped in.
Here’s the kicker: the one person who could provide some clarity, Dallas billionaire Tom Dundon, has been eerily silent since purchasing the team last July. The NBA is expected to finalize the sale by the end of March, handing the reins of the franchise—and the futures of icons like Damian Lillard, general manager Joe Cronin, and every loyal season ticketholder—to a man known for his subprime auto loan empire. But here’s where it gets controversial: Dundon’s ownership group is seeking a staggering $600 million public subsidy to renovate Moda Center, with no indication they’ll contribute their own funds. Is this a fair deal for Portland taxpayers? Or is the city being strong-armed into footing the bill for a billionaire’s asset?
This isn’t just a local drama—it’s a cautionary tale about the power dynamics between wealthy owners and the communities they rely on. Last summer, this very newspaper warned of this scenario, urging local officials to prepare for the worst. Now, with politicians scrambling to win Dundon’s favor, it’s time for a reality check. And this is the part most people miss: While civic leaders may feel they’re holding a weak hand, there are still ways to ensure the Blazers give back to the community that’s about to bankroll them. Fans, too, deserve to know what they’re paying for—after all, they’re the ones filling the seats night after night. We’ve dug into what a renovated Moda Center could mean for your game-day experience, and the answers might surprise you.
Amidst all this off-court chaos, let’s not forget the team still plays basketball. Despite a season that started with the head coach’s arrest in a gambling probe, the Blazers have shown resilience—and may have even found their next decade-long star. It’s a testament to their grit, and we’ve taken a deep dive into their performance to see what’s working and what’s not.
At the heart of this storm is Joe Cronin, the general manager sitting calmly in his baseline seat as the city panics around him. Cronin has the most at stake here—he must convince Dundon to keep him at the helm while politicians fight to keep the team in Portland. We sat down with him for a candid conversation about the future. What did he say? You’ll have to turn the page to find out.
As we navigate this uncertain future, one thing is clear: the Trail Blazers aren’t just a team—they’re a cornerstone of Portland’s identity. But at what cost should they stay? Is a $600 million public subsidy a fair price for keeping the team in town, or is this a line in the sand for Portland taxpayers? We want to hear from you—sound off in the comments and let’s keep this conversation going. The future of the Blazers depends on it.
