Trail Blazers May Scrap $365 Million Moda Center Deal as Portland Talks Stall
Updated
Updated · Blazer's Edge · Jul 21
Trail Blazers May Scrap $365 Million Moda Center Deal as Portland Talks Stall
2 articles · Updated · Blazer's Edge · Jul 21
Summary
$365 million in state funding could be tossed aside as the Trail Blazers' board weighs resetting Moda Center renovation talks instead of accepting Portland's proposed lease package.
Team officials say union labor requirements, Albina-area partnership provisions, weak sponsorship revenue and rising construction costs have made the city's terms less attractive over time.
Portland's side says Tom Dundon's ownership group has not responded to the city's term sheet and that officials will not revise it without a direct counter from the team.
The standoff has sharpened fears that the franchise could use relocation as leverage, with a team source arguing a move could be offset by a higher franchise valuation elsewhere.