Oregon Leaders Rally to Keep Trail Blazers in Portland Amid Team Sale

The Portland Trail Blazers are officially up for sale, prompting significant concern about the team's future in the city. In response, a coalition called Rip City Forever, comprising local business leaders, former players, and community advocates, has formed to urge Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson to take decisive action to keep the team in Portland. The group emphasizes the necessity of renovating or replacing the aging Moda Center, which NBA Commissioner Adam Silver identified as critical to retaining the franchise. Rip City Forever is actively fundraising and planning feasibility studies on potential arena projects, including new construction or major renovations, with a focus on creating a vibrant sports and entertainment district. This initiative is framed as essential to compete with other cities like Seattle and Las Vegas that may seek to attract the Blazers' new ownership. The coalition includes prominent figures such as former Blazers president Marshall Glickman, former players Chris Dudley and Clyde Drexler, and NBA star Kevin Love, all underscoring the economic and cultural importance of the team to the Portland region.