Blazers' Tom Dundon Makes Portland Promise With One Big Catch

Tom Dundon bought the Portland Trail Blazers because they were available. Six months later, he's assuring fans that keeping them in Portland is his priority.

Encouraging!

It's also an interesting progression for an owner whose first months in charge have included significant layoffs, contentious arena negotiations and questions about the franchise's long-term future.

In an October 16 report from The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov, sources familiar with the situation said Dundon had privately raised the possibility of relocation with NBA officials and other owners.

Dundon denied that account.

"We are working to keep the team in Portland," he told Vorkunov. "That is the priority."

Those are reassuring words. They're also carefully worded ones.

Back in April, Dundon explained that he'd purchased the Blazers "simply because it was available."

He wasn't exactly describing a lifelong connection to Portland. An NBA franchise became available, Dundon assembled an ownership group and the deal got done.

By October, his message had become more personal.

In a letter to season-ticket holders, Dundon acknowledged the fanbase's loyalty and promised to pursue a championship.

"My track record speaks for itself," he wrote.

He also addressed the Moda Center negotiations, emphasizing the organization's long-term intentions — without announcing a completed agreement.

Now he's identifying Portland as his priority. But priority isn't quite the same word as guarantee.

There's an uncomfortable precedent a few hours north.

When Clay Bennett's ownership group purchased the Seattle SuperSonics in 2006, it agreed to make a good-faith effort to keep the franchise in Seattle. Two years later, after failed arena negotiations and a legal battle, the team moved to Oklahoma City.

That doesn't make Dundon another Bennett. The circumstances are different, and Dundon has denied discussing relocation.

It does, however, demonstrate why Portland fans might want something more concrete than an owner's intentions.

Sacramento offers a more encouraging comparison. Vivek Ranadivé's ownership group purchased the Kings in 2013, helping prevent a proposed move to Seattle. By 2016, Golden 1 Center had opened and the franchise had a new long-term home.

Portland still has work to do before reaching that point.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has been more direct about his preferred outcome, saying in September that he would consider losing the Blazers a failure.

Yet Silver also acknowledged the importance of reaching an arena agreement between Dundon and local officials.

And the financial stakes are significant.

Oregon has authorized up to $365 million in bonds toward Moda Center renovations. To proceed under the current framework, several conditions must be satisfied by December 31 — including an agreement providing for a minimum 20-year lease.

Dundon, however, reportedly views that deadline as flexible, suggesting negotiations could continue into 2027.

They may be able to continue talking. Whether the same public funding would remain available … that's another matter entirely.

The existing Blazers lease runs through 2030, so an agreement doesn't have to be completed tomorrow to keep the team in Portland. But the current renovation financing comes with its own timetable.

Portland has hundreds of millions of dollars in potential arena funding, a commissioner publicly supporting the franchise's future and an owner who insists staying is the goal.

Dundon may genuinely intend to keep the Blazers in Oregon.

There's no established evidence that he's pursuing a formal relocation plan, and his public position has been consistent in identifying Portland as the desired outcome.

Still, his words deserve to be measured against the agreement he's negotiating.

Dundon has explained why he bought the franchise, promised to pursue a championship and identified Portland as his priority.

The one promise fans are still waiting for is the one that would guarantee the team stays.