The Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly being purchased by an ownership group led by Dallas businessman Tom Dundon. If the sale goes through, this would not be Dundon’s first rodeo. He currently leads the Carolina Panthers of the NHL, based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Why does that matter to Trail Blazers fans? Two things.
First, even though Dundon lives in Texas, he has experience governing the small-market Hurricanes, located on the East Coast.
Second, in his inaugural press conference introduction
back in 2018, when he took over control of the Hurricanes, he specifically addressed rumors that the franchise would be moved to a more favorable location. The exact quote:
“This is a community that has embraced NHL hockey and the Hurricanes,” the commissioner said. “Over the years there has been speculation and innuendo and rumors about the future of this franchise. As I have repeatedly said, this franchise wasn’t going anywhere, and it isn’t going anywhere.
“There was never a risk of this team moving. It used to drive us crazy that we had to spend hours on the phone refuting stories that were just made up.”
If Dundon’s ownership is approved, it’ll be interesting to see if he makes a similar statement about the small-market Trail Blazers.
Also of note from that article is Dundon’s passion for “fan experience”.
“I don’t think I’m happy with what a fan gets when they come here,” he told a crowd of about 125 media members and local dignitaries on Friday. “We want to make sure that someone feels they got value, they got entertainment, and that they tell their friends. I’m not going to do a lot of talking. We’re going to do things.”
The commitment to staying put, if it comes, would be music to the ears of Blazers fans. The “fan experience” mantra may provide a small asterisk, as arenas are the foundation of that experience and the condition of Portland’s Moda Center has been a topic of hot debate since before the sales process and throughout. Leaning towards staying in Portland–if expressed–does not preclude demanding renovations or reconstruction.
Either way, Blazers fans will also be happy with one proclamation evidenced in his Hurricanes presser: valuing wins. Discussing the immediate future of his then-new hockey team, Dundon said:
“I’m not patient,” he admitted. “The fact that they have a team that can win right now, and we can do some things to bring more fans and resources, that was an opportunity. This is a market that has supported this team and loves sports. This is a winning place. I know we can fix it.”
Also…
“I value winning,” he said, “more than I value money.”
The Hurricanes have made the NHL playoffs every season since Dundon took over. They had missed the postseason for nine straight seasons prior.
It’ll be interesting to compare and contrast press conferences if and when Dundon assumes control of the Trail Blazers. Stay tuned.
