Be part of Rip City Forever. Sign our Petition.

Dear Mayor Wilson and Governor Kotek:

The recently announced sale of the Trail Blazers creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Portland and Oregon to demonstrate our desire and ability to set big goals and achieve them. Seizing this opportunity will require your leadership and support from Oregonians.  

Leadership begins with clear-eyed recognition that Portland and Oregon will need to compete with other cities who are likely already plotting to woo the next Blazers owner to their city. Powerhouse cities like Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Nashville, Austin, Kansas City, Montreal, Vancouver, B.C., and even Mexico City would all love to have an NBA team. Remember, the Oklahoma City Thunder were once the Seattle Supersonics, the LA Clippers the San Diego Clippers, the Sacramento Kings the Kansas City Kings, the Memphis Grizzlies the Vancouver Grizzlies and the Utah Jazz the New Orleans Jazz – just to name a few NBA teams that changed cities. But just like when a young team from one of the league’s smallest, newest markets defeated the dominant Philadelphia 76ers for the NBA championship in 1977, Portlanders and Oregonians can, and will, dunk on anyone who tries to steal the Blazers from the city where they were born 55 years ago.

We are a team of people united by our love for the Blazers and our belief that the future vitality of our region goes hand-in-hand with the team; not just remaining in Portland but thriving here. We have organized ourselves to advocate with local and state elected officials and to build community support to ensure Portland remains – Rip City Forever. Idle speculation about whether or not the next owner of the Blazers will keep the team in Portland serves no purpose. Our goal is to inspire leadership, create urgency and spur action to make speculation about the team leaving Portland irrelevant.

There is no bigger stage or brighter spotlight than the NBA to put our strongest, most competitive, foot forward to ensure Portland is the best city in North America to invest in, and operate, an NBA franchise. In doing so, we will also send a powerful and optimistic message to ourselves, the nation, and the world about the bright economic, social and cultural future of our city, region, and state – at a moment when we need it most.

A recent letter to the NBA Commissioner from Senator Ron Wyden, and a resolution approved by the state legislature, detailed the emotional bond and critical economic impact of the Blazers in our region. The Blazers are not just Portland’s team – the team is beloved by fans from across the Pacific Northwest. Generations of fans can recall the voice of the legendary Bill Schonely bringing games to life on their radios. But in today’s NBA, passionate fans, an outdated arena and nostalgia are not enough for a successful franchise. Indeed, team owners, league officials, players, sponsors, and fans all want, and expect a richer sports and entertainment experience, which has triggered new, arena-anchored, mixed-use districts across the globe.

While we have no doubt the NBA would prefer the Blazers remain in Portland, the economic reality of today’s NBA cannot be ignored. A recent CNBC report notes that NBA team valuations now average $4.66 billion. At these prices, NBA clubs can no longer rely solely on ticket sales, sponsorships and media. Revenues from new, world-class arenas with surrounding development have become a key contributor to the economic viability of each franchise. It is why dozens of cities across the country have undertaken public-private partnerships with team owners to create new neighborhoods, anchored by new arenas and stadiums, with surrounding housing, shopping, and entertainment experiences – helping to revitalize urban areas in the process.

Portland should do the same, either with a significantly renovated Moda Center and re-imagined Rose Quarter or, more likely, with an entirely new multi-purpose arena, practice facility and entertainment district – all in the heart of the city. For example, replacing the Moda Center with a new arena in the downtown core, Lloyd Center or another central city location could not only secure the Blazer’s future in Portland, but would revitalize downtown and create even greater opportunities for the future of the Albina neighborhood and Albina Vision Trust – the largest restorative redevelopment effort ever undertaken in the United States.  

Now is the time to dream big and act big.

The sale of the Blazers and the arrival of a new team owner is coming fast, very likely by the end of the year. We cannot control the process or outcome. But we can control how quickly and creatively Portland and Oregon takes action to demonstrate to the NBA and every potential new owner that we are ready to do what it takes to make Portland the best place in North America to own an NBA team.

This is our championship moment – lets go win it!