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Adam Silver: Trail Blazers Leaving Portland Would Be a ‘Failure’
Silver said the NBA would view a Blazers move as a failure as Portland negotiates a lease that could require more than $120 million in public funds.
On Tuesday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated he would "see it as a failure" if the Portland Trail Blazers left the city, emphasizing his hope the team remains in Portland.
Adversarial talks between the city and owner Tom Dundon have stalled, with Dundon citing a "stagnant business climate" and high taxes in Oregon as reasons for his reluctance.
The city has committed $120 million toward a $600 million renovation project for the Moda Center, which Silver noted is in the "bottom measure of any arena in the league."
Mayor Keith Wilson applauded Silver's remarks, while Dewayne Hankins, president of business operations for the Blazers, expressed commitment to finalizing an agreement supporting long-term success.
Stakeholders face a December 31 deadline to finalize funding agreements, as $365 million in state funding is slated to expire without a signed deal for renovations.