In what appears to be a good sign for the Trail Blazers staying put in Portland, representatives from the Blazers, including team president Dewayne Hankins attended a meeting Thursday with the Portland City Council.
The meeting was used to pore over potential proposals for upgrading the Moda Center. The Blazers have asked for $120 million in funding from the city to go along with $365 million and $101 million already approved from the state of Oregon and Multnomah County respectively.
One part of the meeting stood out as questionable on the Blazers part as they lobbied for a change in the lease contract. Specifically they reportedly asked to modify an article of the contract refered to as the standard. The Blazers contend they are afraid of the city suing them, but according to the contract, the only way the city can sue them is if they break the lease to move. Why would the Blazers be afraid of being sued unless they are preparing to move? Mayor Keith Wilson for his part tried to assuage the Blazers’ qualms by stating the city has no intention to sue them.
While no agreement is imminent, the Blazers coming to the table and both sides sharing discussions, is a good step forward, in what started as a contentious process. And, while the future of these negotiations remain unclear, you have to start somewhere.
Blazers CFO Joe Loomis, team lawyers Landus Anderson and Zandria Conyers, and team spokesperson Charles Boyle also appeared at the meeting.
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