Politics Now

‘OPB Politics Now’: Portland puts the Trail Blazers’ future in Tom Dundon’s court

By Dirk VanderHart (OPB) and Alex Zielinski (OPB)
Aug. 13, 2026 6:20 p.m.

Portland City Council has its starting point for negotiations with the Blazers, but questions remain.

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Practically all year, elected officials in Oregon have been trying to solve a puzzle: How can they ensure the enigmatic new owner of the Trail Blazers doesn’t attempt to take the team elsewhere, but not lose the public’s metaphorical shirt in the process?

We now have a basic idea of what that approach looks like. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Alex Zielinski break down the latest.

This week — after a fair amount of drama — the Portland City Council finalized the terms the city will seek in exchange for funding a renovation of the Moda Center. If all goes as planned, they’ll join the state and Multnomah County in funding that roughly $600 million project.

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