Portland Trail Blazers Sale by Paul Allen Estate Sparks Local Push to Keep Team in City
The long-awaited sale of the Portland Trail Blazers NBA franchise was announced by the Paul Allen estate yesterday, bringing closure to the Microsoft co-founder’s wish to sell his sports holdings and donate the proceeds to philanthropic enterprises.
Local Leaders Want the Trail Blazers to Keep Portland as their Home
The long-awaited sale has been met by local leaders jointly making public their wishes to keep the Trail Blazers in Portland.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson says he will do everything he can to keep the basketball team in the city. He says in a statement that the Trailblazers are part of Portland’s identity and have energized and fueled a ‘thriving sports culture.’
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 13, 2025
Blazer Games Generate $600 Million in Annual Income
Economically, the Trailblazers are integral to Portland, generating $600 million, supporting thousands of jobs, and attracting 1.5 million visitors each year to the Moda Center.
Wilson says the City Council approved a bridge agreement last year, securing the Moda Center as home to the Trailblazers until at least the 2029-30 season. The council is also busy with plans to upgrade the Moda Center, which is nearly 30 years old.
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden has also expressed his hope that the Trailblazers will keep Portland as their home base.
The founder of Nike, Phil Knight, has long expressed his desire to purchase the Blazers. It is not known whether Knight is still an interested buyer.
Paul Allen was 65 years old when he died in 2018 from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The billionaire co-founder of Microsoft appointed his sister, Jody Allen, to oversee his estate.