Kotek lobbies NBA commissioner to keep Trail Blazers in Portland as team and county at odds over arena funding
As state lawmakers wait on a bill that would help fund Moda Center renovations, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek spoke with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver last week as part of her full-court press to ensure the Trail Blazers do not relocate from Portland under new ownership.
Kotek’s calendar shows a conversation with Silver on the afternoon of Jan. 30 that a spokesperson for the governor said lasted about 15 minutes and was scheduled at Kotek’s request.
“That was an opportunity for her to reinforce her support for a deal to keep the Blazers in Portland for the long term directly to the commissioner,” said the spokesperson, Elisabeth Shepard.
The call came amid a tense moment for the future of the Trail Blazers. The franchise has worked with the state, city of Portland and Multnomah County to orchestrate a complicated multi-governmental funding package that would generate roughly $600 million toward renovations that are seen as critical to keeping the Trail Blazers in Portland.
https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2026/02/kotek-lobbies-nba-commissioner-to-keep-trail-blazers-in-portland-as-team-and-county-at-odds-over-arena-funding.html?utm_campaign=theoregonian_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
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