Blazers Lease Talks Divide Portland | Portland News

Portland News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 6, 2026 · 1m

Portland’s future with the Trail Blazers is at a crossroads as City Council weighs a $573 million public investment to renew the team’s lease at the Moda Center — amid budget crunches, community debate, and accusations that owner Tom Dundon is leveraging negotiations. Supporters warn losing the NBA franchise could derail Portland’s chances of landing another major league team for decades, while critics argue the money should go toward urgent public needs — especially since the arena isn’t suited for other professional sports. With votes looming on both city and county contributions, the…