Trail Blazers Cut Over 70 Business Jobs as Tom Dundon Defends $100 Million Spending Gap
Updated
Updated · ESPN · May 20
Trail Blazers Cut Over 70 Business Jobs as Tom Dundon Defends $100 Million Spending Gap
2 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 20
Summary
More than 70 Portland Trail Blazers business-side employees were laid off in a reorganization the team said is meant to position the franchise for long-term success under new owner Tom Dundon.
Dewayne Hankins, the Blazers' president, said several areas of the business were restructured and that the organization is now focused on supporting affected staff through the transition.
Dundon has drawn criticism since buying the team for aggressive cost controls, including reported efforts to trim travel and hotel expenses.
Last week, Dundon defended that approach on a podcast, saying the Blazers spend $100 million more annually than his NHL Carolina Hurricanes, excluding player costs, and arguing he wants to invest money rather than waste it.
Workforce cuts are not unusual after an ownership change, but the layoffs sharpen scrutiny of how Dundon plans to reshape the franchise off the court.