When Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen died in 2018 from complications related to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, it was matter of when, not if, his beloved professional sports team would be sold.
Seven years later, that time has finally arrived.
Allen’s estate announced on May 13 that is has initiated a formal sales process for one of Oregon’s most cherished institutions. It will complete a directive laid out in Allen’s will to sell off his sports holdings and donate the proceeds to philanthropy. The estate has selected an investment bank and law firm to lead the transaction, which is expected to spill into the 2025-26 NBA season.
Even though the sale has been anticipated since Allen’s death, it has sparked widespread curiosity — and concern — among the Blazers’ passionate fan base, fueling speculation about the future of the franchise.
How long will the process take? Who might be interested in buying the team? And are the Blazers safe from relocation?
On the latest episode of Beat Check, The Oregonian/OregonLive’s sports columnist, Bill Oram, dissects the looming sale of the Blazers and the future of the franchise.
Related reading:
• Estate of Paul Allen announces plans to sell Blazers
• Bill Oram: Ding dong, the Blazers are for sale! Which means... what exactly?
• Blazers hitting the market raises expectations, potential concerns
• Bill Oram: Maybe the Blazers’ new owners are already in Portland
• Timeline for Blazers sale unclear based on past sales of NBA franchises
• Business as usual for Blazers on the court despite franchise going up for sale
• Nike co-founder Phil Knight no longer interested in purchasing Blazers
• Bill Oram: No, the 87-year-old billionaire does not want to buy your team. Good for him
--Joe Freeman is a senior writer at The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-294-5183,@BlazerFreeman or@freemanjoe.bsky.social
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