Tom Dundon’s Comments About Blazers Layoffs Were Even Worse Than the Layoffs Themselves

New Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon is quickly learning that running an NBA franchise is not the same thing as running a normal business.

And honestly, his latest comments did not help.

Speaking with Bill Oram of The Oregonian following reports that Portland laid off more than 70 staff members, Dundon defended the cuts by saying:

“People are happier when they’re busy and productive," Dundon said. "And more people just creates more problems, usually. I think Portland just had too many people... The business I’m going to run like you run every other business.”

That quote is probably going to stick with fans for a while.

Not just because of the layoffs themselves, but because of the tone attached to them.

Professional sports organizations are businesses, obviously. Nobody realistically expects owners to ignore finances or operate without evaluating efficiency. But NBA teams are also relationship-driven environments where culture, trust, continuity, and organizational identity matter far more than they do in most traditional businesses.

That is what makes Dundon’s comments feel so disconnected.

The people who lost their jobs were not random corporate positions disconnected from the franchise. Many were long-time employees who helped shape the daily culture around the organization, including members of the media and business operations departments. Those people are often part of the connective tissue between the team, the players, and the fanbase.

Reducing that situation to “too many people” and “more people creates more problems” was never going to land well.

Especially not in Portland.

This is a fanbase that values authenticity and connection to the organization. The Blazers are not just another franchise in the city, they are one of the central pieces of Portland sports culture. Fans notice how employees are treated. Around the league, players and agents notice too.

And perception around Dundon is already becoming a problem.

Since taking over ownership, there have already been reports about cost-cutting measures, concerns surrounding the coaching search, and claims that Portland is targeting one of the lowest-paid head coaches in the NBA. Several coaching candidates have reportedly declined interest in the opening because of the projected salary range.

Now these comments only add to the growing perception that the franchise is operating with finances as the top priority.

That is dangerous territory for an NBA organization.

Because eventually, ownership reputation impacts basketball decisions. Coaches talk. Agents talk. Executives talk. If a franchise develops a reputation for aggressively cutting costs or undervaluing infrastructure, it can affect how attractive the organization becomes long term.

None of this means Dundon cannot eventually stabilize things.

But right now, his early months as owner are creating headlines Portland does not want and honestly, the comments may have created more damage than the layoffs themselves.