When Paul Allen purchased the Portland Trail Blazers in 1988 for $70 million, few could have predicted the astronomical return on investment his estate would eventually reap.
Now, as the team officially hits the market with a valuation between $3-4 billion, the Blazers sale represents one of the most significant wealth transfers in Pacific Northwest history — and offers a fascinating window into the exclusive world of NBA team ownership.
“There are few assets that represent true wealth in this country more than an NBA franchise,” explained Bill Oram in his recent appearance on The Beat Check podcast with host Joe Freeman. This scarcity — just 30 teams exist in the league — creates a perfect storm of demand whenever one becomes available.
Generative AI was used to summarize a recent episode of theBeat Check podcast. This story was reviewed and edited by The Oregonian/OregonLive.
The sales process itself is a complex dance of high finance and league politics. Potential bidders will submit offers to Allen’s estate, which is obligated to pursue top dollar given the philanthropic directive in Allen’s will. Once a buyer is identified, the transaction requires approval from the NBA’s Board of Governors — representatives from each of the league’s 30 ownership groups.
The recent sale of the Boston Celtics for a staggering $6.1 billion offers some context for what the Blazers might command. While Portland won’t reach that astronomical figure — the Celtics boast 18 championships and the NBA’s richest history — the Blazers still represent an incredibly valuable asset with their exclusive regional footprint and passionate fanbase.
But who has the financial firepower to enter this rarefied air? The potential buyer list remains speculative, with local possibilities including the Bhathal family (current owners of the Portland Thorns and the incoming WNBA franchise), Dutch Bros founder Travis Boersma (estimated $4 billion net worth), and Columbia Sportswear’s Tim Boyle ($2+ billion net worth).
The financial transformation of NBA franchises is perhaps best illustrated by Allen’s original investment: “He bought it for 70 million and now it’s valued between ... 3.5 to 4 billion dollars,” noted Freeman, highlighting the 50-fold return of the prosperous sports investment.
Watching this unfold are Blazers fans who understand that whoever purchases the team will shape the franchise’s direction for decades. While basketball operations continue moving forward, the overarching strategy will inevitably be influenced by ownership transition.
“I don’t know if standard operating procedure would be exactly how I’d describe it,” Oram noted when discussing the front office during the sale. “When the team is for sale ... you do not want to take on a bunch of salary. You don’t want to have a bunch of bad contracts. You want to keep the books relatively clean.”
This financial prudence aligns with the team’s current rebuilding timeline, but also means fans shouldn’t expect aggressive moves to accelerate the process until new ownership is established.
Looking for more context on this billion-dollar transaction? The Beat Check with The Oregonian podcast delivers an insider’s perspective on the entire process, from valuation debates to potential buyers and the timeline that could stretch into the 2025-26 NBA season. Don’t miss their ongoing coverage of what might be the most consequential off-court development in Blazers history.
Listen to the full episode here:
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