The NBA Board of Governors met in New York City today, occasioning a media availability session from Commissioner Adam Silver. While much of his microphone time was occupied with the disciplinary measures taken against the Los Angeles Clippers following their salary cap circumvention with superstar forward Kawhi Leonard, Silver also fielded a question on the future of the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Blazers organization, under new owner Tom Dundon, is embroiled in a debate with the City of Portland
over public funding for the Moda Center Arena. The back-and-forth over the issue has included accusations of obstinacy, non-participation, and disagreeable demands. Bubbling underneath the surface is the threat of the Blazers moving out of Portland should Dundon not get his way.
Silver addressed the issue of the Blazers moving thusly:
Q. In your tenure, no NBA franchise has relocated from its home market. Is that a point of pride for you? How committed are you to ensuring that the Trail Blazers do not become the first, particularly given the apparent lack of material movement toward a deal for the arena by the December deadline?
ADAM SILVER: Let me begin by saying that it is my hope and belief that the Portland Trail Blazers, or the Trail Blazers, can be successful in Portland, Oregon. It is important at the same time that Tom Dundon reaches a deal with the city officials and the state-elected officials that makes operating in Portland viable for the long-term. That’s what we’re focused on.
To me, I understand, whether it was under David Stern or other leagues, there are times when it becomes necessary for teams to relocate for various circumstances. I don’t want to make that point of pride for me. That would to me be prejudging the situation. I want to be very direct about it. I would see it as a failure if we did not keep the team in Portland. I’ve spent a lot of time in that community over the years. They’ve shown amazing support for the Trail Blazers. They’re some of our best fans around the league.
At the same time, now I speak for our WNBA team in the market as well, we need a state-of-the-art arena. I think by any objective measure now, the current building there is in the bottom measure of any arena in the league.
I think everyone in the community acknowledges that not just for NBA and WNBA basketball, but for all the multi-uses of these modern arenas, concerts, conventions, graduations, you name it, the community needs the same thing.
These are centerpieces of not just midsize cities like Portland, but increasingly even some small arenas in communities throughout America.
It’s my hope that we can lower the temperature honestly a bit in these negotiations. I had an opportunity to spend a significant amount of time with T om Dundon while he was here in New York at our meetings. We did discuss the situation around Portland in one of our committee meetings with Tom. I think he was able to bounce ideas off other owners who have been through similar negotiations in other communities. I think there’s some lessons to be learned there.
But again, offering myself and the league office to assist all parties there. As I said, we’ve had a great track record in Portland. No doubt in my mind it would be a failure if we weren’t able to accomplish a result that makes Portland basketball, NBA and WNBA, viable for the long term.
