Portland Trail Blazers leadership met with city officials this week to discuss the future of the Moda Center. The discussions centered on a proposed $600 million renovation project and the terms of a new long-term lease for the franchise.
The state has already pledged $365 million toward the project, contingent on local contributions of $120 million from the city and additional funding from Multnomah County. Team owner Tom Dundon indicated a willingness to commit to a 20-year lease, provided the public funding structure is finalized.
Key to these negotiations is the removal of a first-class standard provision from the current agreement. Blazers president of business operations Dewayne Hankins stated that this legacy clause has been used as a legal threat, which discourages open negotiations. The team argues the provision is outdated and does not reflect current NBA standards.
City officials, including Mayor Keith Wilson, clarified that the city does not intend to pursue legal action regarding these standards. Multnomah County is scheduled to vote on its potential contribution on August 6, followed by a city council vote on August 12. These decisions remain critical steps in keeping the team in Portland for the next two decades.