NBA Commissioner Adam Silver just laid it out clear as day: the Trail Blazers leaving Portland? He’d call that a “failure,” plain and simple. Silver told KATU’s Guillermo Motta that he’s spent years in that community, seen their “amazing support” for the Blazers, and he wants them to stay. But here’s the kicker: he also dropped a bombshell about what a new arena deal, or the lack of one, could mean for *our* city.
Portland’s Arena Is Showing Its Age (And It’s Bad)
Silver didn’t mince words about the Moda Center, saying by “any objective measure,” it’s in the “bottom measure of any arena in the league.” Ouch. He called for a “state of the art arena” because, let’s be real, it desperately needs major renovations. We’re talking behind-the-scenes stuff, like loading docks and locker rooms, not just new paint. This all comes after Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon bought the team earlier this year for over $4 billion from the estate of late owner Paul Allen. Dundon’s been deep in negotiations for massive upgrades, and the pressure’s on big time.
The Clock Is Ticking On A Huge Deal
The stakes are astronomically high for Portland. A framework deal worth over $586 million had actually been agreed to by Oregon, Portland, and Multnomah County, according to The Athletic. But guess what? Terms still haven’t been locked down with the city and the county. And get this: there’s a city council vote set for December, but Oregon’s committed $365 million for the project *expires at the end of the year*. That’s a ticking time bomb! If they nail down a deal, the Blazers get a sweet 20-year lease extension, keeping them there through 2050. No deal? Their future in Portland after 2030 is “very much in doubt.” Silver even said he hopes they “can lower the temperature” in these negotiations. He wants Dundon to reach a deal that makes operating in Portland “viable for the long term,” which, honestly, sounds like a pretty big hint.
And What Does This Mean For The Emerald City?
Here’s where it gets interesting for Seattle. There’s been whispers, right? That Dundon might pull the trigger and move the team if no deal is reached. And where might they go? Well, Silver himself confirmed on Tuesday that the NBA is *still* talking about expansion in both Las Vegas and, yep, **Seattle**! While Silver clearly said he hopes the Blazers “can be successful in Portland,” and he doesn’t want to see relocation happen, he also just confirmed our city is on the league’s mind.
The clock is ticking hard for Portland, and with that December city council vote looming and Oregon’s cash on the line, things could get wild. For us here in the Emerald City? We’re just over here listening close, ready for whatever the future holds for the league, especially when our name keeps popping up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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