Adam Silver: Portland needs a new arena, will be a challenge for new owner

[PDXKnight]

Bingo. This is where the real money is at. Far more than anything to do with tourism. Huge money with the partnerships, plus close proximity to SoCal and much more favorable tax laws in NV vs CA.

That's the main thing I'm trying to get at here. This idea that tourism and gambling are the main driving forces of teams coming to Vegas is somewhere between grossly overrated to flatly inaccurate.

OK ill give you that not entirely tourism and gambling. But id still think a damn near monopoly on the pro sports market in Portland ought to be enough incentive to not move. The nba should be pushing Memphis or NO out behind the scenes or get to work on expansion asap as it would feel like a travesty if Portland gets shafted when going by numbers theres about 10 teams in lesser TV/media markets

It's certainly something, but it's far from "enough".

Totally agree, there are other teams more in need of a move from a local fan support perspective, but it's just simply not as black and white as that.

As for the Oregonian article, if you have a Multnomah Library card number and pin, you should be able to access digital versions of the Oregonian. I used mine to check if that article was up yet and it wasn't, so no luck.

That said, while it's nice to have a good ol' coalition... I'm not holding my breath they can do anything to push this forward with Kotek and Wilson.

To me its not just local fan support, in terms of TV dollars and revenue streams, Portland is a superior market to 5-10 other teams. Doesn't seem right we have a shot to be the city losing our team to vegas

[DusterBuster]

OK ill give you that not entirely tourism and gambling. But id still think a damn near monopoly on the pro sports market in Portland ought to be enough incentive to not move. The nba should be pushing Memphis or NO out behind the scenes or get to work on expansion asap as it would feel like a travesty if Portland gets shafted when going by numbers theres about 10 teams in lesser TV/media markets

It's certainly something, but it's far from "enough".

Totally agree, there are other teams more in need of a move from a local fan support perspective, but it's just simply not as black and white as that.

As for the Oregonian article, if you have a Multnomah Library card number and pin, you should be able to access digital versions of the Oregonian. I used mine to check if that article was up yet and it wasn't, so no luck.

That said, while it's nice to have a good ol' coalition... I'm not holding my breath they can do anything to push this forward with Kotek and Wilson.

To me its not just local fan support, in terms of TV dollars and revenue streams, Portland is a superior market to 5-10 other teams. Doesn't seem right we have a shot to be the city losing our team to vegas

Portland is ranked the 23rd sports media market. Vegas is 40th.

SF-Oakland is 11th.

Vegas has 2 Oakland franchises now (Raider and Athletics).

I understand grasping for reasons why we don’t want the Blazers to move, I’m with you, but we all need to be clear-eyed about the factors that really matter for why teams move or stay. Not all things are created equal.

Attendance / fan support and media market sizes matters a lot less than we want to believe. Not when compared to things like favorable tax rates, friendly state government and probably biggest of all of all, huge company sponsorships. Do you want your franchise repped by Moda or by Visa (if you’re a franchise owner)?

[Norm2953]

It's very hopeful that the Governor of Oregon and Mayor of Portland seem to be onboard with the
renovation of the Moda Center.

Now we need to find a local owner that will be fully onboard with the city

[DusterBuster]

It's very hopeful that the Governor of Oregon and Mayor of Portland seem to be onboard with the
renovation of the Moda Center.

Now we need to find a local owner that will be fully onboard with the city

Too early to honestly panic about anything yet. I do find the choice of words by both sides very interesting and calculated. Silver and the league are saying Portland needs a "new" arena, the city of Portland is so far only committing to a "renovation" of Moda.

To me, this sounds like two sides at a negotiating table and fairly far apart in their respect offers. The league wants a full max deal, the city only wants to commit to 25mil per season.

It'll be interesting to see if there is a compromise to be made here.

IMO, it's a pretty **** simple answer, tear down and build a new arena over Memorial Colosseum.

As others have pointed out, a renovation on Moda is going to force the team to play somewhere else for at minimum a full season. I don't think the league would be thrilled having a full season played in Memorial while Moda is redone. I also question if the league would OK with just a renovation of Moda, it would have to be quite drastic of a renovation I would guess and at which point, why not just go all the way with a new building?

Which brings us back to the obvious answer, tear down and build build a new modern arena where Colousseum is. Blazers don't have to be displaced by a Moda demo/renovation, meanwhile league and the city get their new shiny toy of an arena.

There's also Lloyd Center, that's prime to get tore down and they could put an arena there to try and revamp that area... that said, it would be insane for the city to have 3 arenas for only 1 major sports franchise than can use it (I guess soon to be two with the Fire coming back). I know other events than sports can use the arenas, but still an insane waste if they just build a third somewhere like Lloyd Center... I don't care tho, whatever teams the Blazers in Portland.

[DusterBuster]

Highkin also out with an article regarding the arena topic:

https://www.rosegardenreport.com/if-the-trail-blazers-want-a-new-arena-theyll-get-one/

Don't have a sub to this, so if anyone else does, feel free to post some notable tidbits.

[Norm2953]

Let's see who the new owner is first.

Presumably the league has a good idea on they will ultimately be

[Wizenheimer]

Kotek and Wilson released a joint statement on the arena issue:

https://www.portland.gov/mayor/keith-wilson/news/2025/7/30/mayor-wilson-and-governor-kotek-issue-joint-letter-supporting

The pertinent comments from the city officials are here:

The Moda Center sits near the middle of the city, within reach of every corner. That’s by design, and we want to keep it that way. We also want to be loud and clear that as the Governor of Oregon and Mayor of Portland, we fully support renovating the Moda Center to become a point of pride for the Blazers and for our city. We are prepared to explore the public-private partnerships needed to make it happen.

Good they're willing to start looking into options, but I'm curious to see how the push and pull of renovations vs new arena take shape...

I'm skeptical a Moda renovation will do the trick

[DusterBuster]

Let's see who the new owner is first.

Presumably the league has a good idea on they will ultimately be

Another reason to not stress too much yet.

Dream scenario is the Blazers could get a Balmer-type with FU money and just do it all himself. Would love to have some hints who's name it is that's floating around in league circles that Simmons mentioned he heard.

[DusterBuster]

Kotek and Wilson released a joint statement on the arena issue:

https://www.portland.gov/mayor/keith-wilson/news/2025/7/30/mayor-wilson-and-governor-kotek-issue-joint-letter-supporting

The pertinent comments from the city officials are here:

The Moda Center sits near the middle of the city, within reach of every corner. That’s by design, and we want to keep it that way. We also want to be loud and clear that as the Governor of Oregon and Mayor of Portland, we fully support renovating the Moda Center to become a point of pride for the Blazers and for our city. We are prepared to explore the public-private partnerships needed to make it happen.

Good they're willing to start looking into options, but I'm curious to see how the push and pull of renovations vs new arena take shape...

I'm skeptical a Moda renovation will do the trick

Agreed. It would have to be such a substantial renovation that it would border on the same cost as a new building and likely take roughly the same amount of time. Maybe they could get in down in a year, year+ less than a full demo and rebuild on another site, but still... I'm with you, I think the complexities, cost and general underwhemling-ness of redoing Moda isn't the answer here that the league wants.

My vote is still to demo Memorial or Lloyd and build the new arena on one of those two sites.

[Wizenheimer]

Kotek and Wilson released a joint statement on the arena issue:

https://www.portland.gov/mayor/keith-wilson/news/2025/7/30/mayor-wilson-and-governor-kotek-issue-joint-letter-supporting

The pertinent comments from the city officials are here:


Good they're willing to start looking into options, but I'm curious to see how the push and pull of renovations vs new arena take shape...

I'm skeptical a Moda renovation will do the trick

Agreed. It would have to be such a substantial renovation that it would border on the same cost as a new building and likely take roughly the same amount of time. Maybe they could get in down in a year, year+ less than a full demo and rebuild on another site, but still... I'm with you, I think the complexities, cost and general underwhemling-ness of redoing Moda isn't the answer here that the league wants.

My vote is still to demo Memorial or Lloyd and build the new arena on one of those two sites.

there's also the added problem of the renovation almost certainly shutting down the Moda for 2 years. Where do the Blazers play those two seasons? and it's really hard to believe a new owner would sign up for that

[zzaj]

I still don’t think the NBA actually cares about what is decided…I think they care about whomever the new owner is saving money by having the city and taxpayers paying for it.

Building on the Lloyd Center site does make a bit of sense in terms of road access, parking (even though this city hates cars) and space to build up around the Arena. It’s also still central.

It also leaves the Rose Garden as a potential (and proven) site for MLB. Although, I’m not sure the city or its citizens would have the appetite for footing the bill for two new arenas…

We’ll likely be talking about this in here for the next half decade…

[PDXKnight]

Kotek and Wilson released a joint statement on the arena issue:

https://www.portland.gov/mayor/keith-wilson/news/2025/7/30/mayor-wilson-and-governor-kotek-issue-joint-letter-supporting

The pertinent comments from the city officials are here:


Good they're willing to start looking into options, but I'm curious to see how the push and pull of renovations vs new arena take shape...

I'm skeptical a Moda renovation will do the trick

Agreed. It would have to be such a substantial renovation that it would border on the same cost as a new building and likely take roughly the same amount of time. Maybe they could get in down in a year, year+ less than a full demo and rebuild on another site, but still... I'm with you, I think the complexities, cost and general underwhemling-ness of redoing Moda isn't the answer here that the league wants.

My vote is still to demo Memorial or Lloyd and build the new arena on one of those two sites.

I think state of Oregon is only at the starting point. Theyre being proactive rather than reactive unlike Seattle when they lost the Sonics. I think something happens once a new owner states demands. If its "new arena or im moving the team" id imagine Portland and state of Oregon come around given that both have shown a willingness to invest money in an arena project. Won't happen overnight im sure but currently things are in the negotiation phase and the governor/mayor will do what is needed I feel.

Of course I could be wrong, maybe renovating moda is a line in the sand for the city/state but I find it hard to believe money going into reno vs money going into a new arena matters that much unless one is significantly higher in cost. But I cant imagine that would be the case since moda would need a pretty major overhaul

[PDXKnight]

I do think its worth noting the business disadvantages of Portland are there. Likewise its possible an owner opts to move the blazers to the suburbs. Beaverton/ Clackamas/Hillsboro might present better options for the Blazers or bare minimum put Portland under the gun to offer enough incentive to keep the team in PDX proper. Hillsboro is a ways out but they in particular have bent over backwards to put money into baseball and id imagine theyd do the same to attract rhe blazers. Either way the team would remain the "Portland" trail blazers in name but that would help mitigate some of the tax disadvantages.

[DusterBuster]

I'm skeptical a Moda renovation will do the trick

Agreed. It would have to be such a substantial renovation that it would border on the same cost as a new building and likely take roughly the same amount of time. Maybe they could get in down in a year, year+ less than a full demo and rebuild on another site, but still... I'm with you, I think the complexities, cost and general underwhemling-ness of redoing Moda isn't the answer here that the league wants.

My vote is still to demo Memorial or Lloyd and build the new arena on one of those two sites.

I think state of Oregon is only at the starting point. Theyre being proactive rather than reactive unlike Seattle when they lost the Sonics. I think something happens once a new owner states demands. If its "new arena or im moving the team" id imagine Portland and state of Oregon come around given that both have shown a willingness to invest money in an arena project. Won't happen overnight im sure but currently things are in the negotiation phase and the governor/mayor will do what is needed I feel.

Of course I could be wrong, maybe renovating moda is a line in the sand for the city/state but I find it hard to believe money going into reno vs money going into a new arena matters that much unless one is significantly higher in cost. But I cant imagine that would be the case since moda would need a pretty major overhaul

I appreciate the optimism. I'm too old and cynical after seeing 30+ years of Portland city government to give them even the least amount of credit, but I do hope you're right. Certainly hope they do the right thing here to keep the Blazers in Portland.

It's also a little early for anyone to even start having these conversations until a sale of the team has been agreed upon. The situation will become a lot clearer once who know who or what group is purchasing the team.

[cucad8]

I'd be curious if the "jock tax" they're doing for MLB stadium could be expanded to fit the Blazers and a new arena.

[Tim Lehrbach]

City and state government have zero responsibility for keeping the Blazers in Portland.

[DusterBuster]

Funny that the Rip City Forever letter got a signing by Drexler. Dude knew how to hold a grudge against the Allen's and Kolde.

[PDXKnight]

Agreed. It would have to be such a substantial renovation that it would border on the same cost as a new building and likely take roughly the same amount of time. Maybe they could get in down in a year, year+ less than a full demo and rebuild on another site, but still... I'm with you, I think the complexities, cost and general underwhemling-ness of redoing Moda isn't the answer here that the league wants.

My vote is still to demo Memorial or Lloyd and build the new arena on one of those two sites.

I think state of Oregon is only at the starting point. Theyre being proactive rather than reactive unlike Seattle when they lost the Sonics. I think something happens once a new owner states demands. If its "new arena or im moving the team" id imagine Portland and state of Oregon come around given that both have shown a willingness to invest money in an arena project. Won't happen overnight im sure but currently things are in the negotiation phase and the governor/mayor will do what is needed I feel.

Of course I could be wrong, maybe renovating moda is a line in the sand for the city/state but I find it hard to believe money going into reno vs money going into a new arena matters that much unless one is significantly higher in cost. But I cant imagine that would be the case since moda would need a pretty major overhaul

I appreciate the optimism. I'm too old and cynical after seeing 30+ years of Portland city government to give them even the least amount of credit, but I do hope you're right. Certainly hope they do the right thing here to keep the Blazers in Portland.

It's also a little early for anyone to even start having these conversations until a sale of the team has been agreed upon. The situation will become a lot clearer once who know who or what group is purchasing the team.

Ive lived in the Portland metro my whole life (35 years) so I get it. But I do see reason to be optimistic here. Usually when things didn't happen in the past there was legislative pushback (baseball 25 years ago) or the city had too much hubris to get anything done. Seems as if the governor and mayor are on the same page which is a solid starting point

It is early to talk about it but definitely nice to see politicians being proactive about it. We can only hope something decent comes out of it and that there will be a fair dialogue with the new owner rather than a shouting match

[m0ng0]

Isn't a new music venue being built at Lloyd center?

[BigPuma]

Honest question - what would be better about a new arena than the current moda center? Most of my in person basketball watching has been either in the Dean Dome to watch UNC or the Blazers. haven't been to a lot of other stadiums. Both are very similar. It seems to me like Moda gets about as many people as possible as close to the court as possible with pretty good sight lines. I can't imagine more people having a better view without making the seats very cramped or the aisles even narrower or steeper. From most seats you have reasonable access to the concourse, and the concourse has plenty of space to sell whatever food and drinks and swag.

I'm sure the answer is something about luxury boxes and revenue. But as far as fans watching the game, what are we going to improve?

Never heard an answer to this. Is there any tangible benefit of a new arena to a typical fan who doesn't sit in luxury suites or drink ultra premium cocktails or eat sushi during the game?