PORTLAND – The Portland Trail Blazers will soon have a new owner—but perhaps not a new home. Despite valid concerns about the team’s future in Portland following the sale, the Trail Blazers will remain here for the foreseeable future.
What The Trail Blazers Sale Means For Its Future In Portland
Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has reached a tentative agreement to buy the franchise from Paul Allen’s estate, according to Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams of Sportico.
The buying group also includes Blue Owl Capital co-president Marc Zahr and Portland-based Sheel Tyle, co-CEO of Collective Global. These investors, sources said, intend to keep the team in Portland.
A spokesperson for the Hurricanes confirmed the deal’s progress. Dundon “is in the process of buying the Portland Trailblazers and is excited about the opportunity,” the spokesperson said.
Fear of a Move
The potential sale has stirred anxiety among fans. Some worry a new owner could relocate the team out of the city. Those concerns aren’t unfounded; relocation rumors have followed other small-market NBA teams in similar situations.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver weighed in on the situation during a July press conference. “It is our preference that that team remains in Portland,” Silver said. He also noted the franchise “likely needs a new arena, so that will be part of the challenge for any new ownership group coming in.”
Small-Market Experience
For fans tracking the Trail Blazers’ future in Portland, Dundon’s history offers some reassurance. The Hurricanes play in Raleigh, North Carolina—a small market by professional sports standards. Despite living in Texas, Dundon has shown no interest in moving the NHL franchise.
That precedent matters. His stewardship of the Hurricanes suggests he understands the value of maintaining a strong local identity, even when market size limits revenue opportunities.
Portland, like Raleigh, thrives on a deeply loyal fan base. Keeping that connection intact would be vital to both on-court success and financial stability.
The Path Forward
The sale still awaits final approval from the NBA’s Board of Governors. It was revealed in a statement by the league that the sale will close quickly. The early signals—Dundon’s investment team, his small-market history, and the league’s public stance—point toward stability rather than upheaval.
If Dundon’s past is any guide, Portland’s fans might soon have new owners who understand both the economics and the emotion of keeping the Blazers right where they belong.
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