Blazers Scrap Traditional Playoff T-Shirt Giveaway Amid Cost-Cutting Moves
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The Portland Trail Blazers will not leave commemorative T-shirts on seats at Moda Center for Game 3 on Friday or Game 4 on Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs, team president Dewayne Hankins confirmed. The free shirts are a customary playoff gesture across the NBA and were visible Sunday when Portland opened the series in a sea of black-and-silver in San Antonio.
The decision follows several belt-tightening measures enacted since Texas billionaire Tom Dundon purchased the franchise for $4.25 billion earlier this month. Co-owner Sheel Tyle wrote on X, “we are doing something else,” but the organization has not disclosed an alternative fan promotion.
Travel pared back
Portland will also keep its three two-way players—Caleb Love, Chris Youngblood and Jayson Kent—at home for road playoff games. Although two-way contracts are ineligible for postseason play, most clubs still fly those players with the team. The other seven clubs in the playoffs chose to do so.
Love appeared in 49 regular-season games, averaging 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 20 minutes per contest.
Hotel expenses under microscope
Sports Illustrated reported last week that staff members were asked to vacate hotel rooms before checkout to avoid late fees during a trip, adding to questions about the franchise’s new financial posture.
Coaching uncertainty continues
Interim coach Tiago Splitter, a former Spurs center, has guided the Blazers since Chauncey Billups was placed on unpaid administrative leave in October 2025 following his arrest in investigations tied to illegal sports betting and rigged poker games. Billups had signed a $7 million contract extension in April 2025.
Despite the turmoil, Portland exceeded expectations and plans to welcome Damian Lillard back next season alongside young core players Scoot Henderson, Deni Avdija, Donovan Clingan, Toumani Camara and Shaedon Sharpe.
Source: ESPN
