Just days after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said negotiations between the Portland Trail Blazers and the City of Portland over renovations to the Moda Center Arena were “off track”, the city has sent a proposal to the Blazers detailing requirements for Portland’s participation in the deal.
Each side—city politicians and the Blazers franchise—has accused the other of stalling the process in recent weeks.
The Blazers have faulted the city for not approving approximately $120 million of funding for the renovation
project, a follow-up to $365 million committed by the State of Oregon and another $100 million from Multnomah County. Both state and county approved their portions rather quickly. An agreement with the city of Portland has been in the works for months, an issue because city funding is a requirement of the aid from the other public entities.
City officials, including Mayor Keith Wilson, have claimed that the Blazers have shared little information on the project, have not responded to requests for same, and generally have been refusing to come to the bargaining table.
Silver’s reply to the question about arena funding stoked the flames of the argument, apparently prompting the city to offer funding conditions immediately and publicly. Today Wright Gazaway of Portland’s KATU news released details of the “first term offer sheet” made to the Blazers. He lists the following as major points in the ask:
- A binding 20-year non-relocation commitment from the team.
- Requirements for labor-peace agreements to support a stable workforce.
- Financial protections that outline clear caps on public funding, limits on eligible expenses, and safeguards for the City, State and County against cost overruns.
- A $3 million annual payment for property tax offset payment from Rip City Management, escalating over time, with proceeds shared among the City, County, and Portland Public Schools.
- Requirements for community event access, local hiring, sustainability standards, and partnerships with Albina-based organizations. [ed. Albina is the neighborhood surrounding the Moda Center.]
Gazaway quotes City Administrator Raymond Lee regarding the offer sheet and its timing:
“When you get into these type of negotiations, they’re tough. Yes, the city has asked and requested certain information from the Blazers and we have not received that. We’ve had communication with the Blazers and had verbal conversations with the Blazers. That’s what has taken place thus far,” city administrator Raymond Lee said after an executive session on the term sheet.
“I believe the Blazers are waiting on a term sheet before they really start opening up into negotiations with us and start getting some of that critical information that we would want to see on our end as it relates to building out a deal with the Blazers that will be long-term for the city and the Blazers,” he added.
Gazaway has more direct quotes from Lee and Wilson, including an assurance from the city administrator that Portland is committed to keeping the Blazers in town. The article is a must-read if you want to catch up on the latest on the Moda Center Renovation debate.
