Trail Blazers' Owner Expects Tax Payers to Cover Moda Center Renovations Bill

New Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon is no stranger to causing a stir among NBA league circles through the first three months with the franchise. His cost-cutting methods have not been well-received by coaches, fans, and other executives, as they were eventually accepted by the NHL. On Wednesday, Dundon spoke publicly at the Portland Metro Chamber's annual meeting and said that the $600 million Moda Center renovation project should be completely taxpayer-funded.

"It feels like we're making a pretty big investment by staying here and paying these tax rates," Dundon said, according to multiple outlets.

The Trail Blazers organization and the NBA both pointed to the need for a facelift for the 30-year-old arena. It is important to note that the Moda Center is owned by the city of Portland, and the Trail Blazers are now one of two tenants of the arena, with the WNBA expansion franchise, the Portland Fire, beginning its inaugural season in May.

The Spectrum Center, owned by the city of Charlotte, was recently renovated and a brand new practice facility is set to open prior to the 2026-2027 regular season. While the majority of the $245 million in funding came from tourism taxes, Charlotte Hornets ownership privately funded 80% of the practice facility. Even if the city owns the arena, ownership of the NBA franchise usually will help contribute funding to any renovation projects.

The Lenovo Center in Raleigh, where Dundon’s Carolina Hurricanes play hockey, is currently undergoing a $300 million renovation in which Dundon funded a small amount. It brings to question why Dundon is willing to provide minimal funding for the Lenovo Center, but refuse funding for the Moda Center. This is precisely the transparency Portland City Councilor Mitch Green wants before he is ready to vote for approval.

 “The City of Portland is in a very difficult financial moment. If we’re going to defund our basic priorities to help a billionaire increase the value of his team, we need to see all that laid out honestly,” Green told KPTV’s Julia Lopez

This is an important juncture for the Trail Blazers’ relationship with the city of Portland. Renovations are needed to keep the Moda Center up to the NBA’s standards, but the renovation project funding needs approval from the Portland City Council. It is crucial for both Blazers’ ownership and the city of Portland to come together on an agreement on renovation funding to protect the future of Rip City.