Adam Silver visits Portland after Oregon approves $365 million for Moda Center overhaul
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PORTLAND, Ore. — NBA commissioner Adam Silver attended the Portland Trail Blazers’ home game against the Utah Jazz on Friday night, days after Oregon lawmakers authorized funding to renovate the 30-year-old Moda Center.
The Legislature passed a measure last week that grants the state joint ownership of the arena with the city of Portland and establishes a mechanism to secure up to $365 million toward the project. Team officials estimate the total cost at about $600 million.
Silver met with state and city leaders earlier in the day to discuss next steps. “I’ve had great conversations with the governor and the mayor, and it’s been a bipartisan effort,” he said in an interview released by the Trail Blazers. “You need a state-of-the-art arena here.”
The commissioner noted that the building will host both the NBA franchise and the expansion Portland Fire of the WNBA, debuting this season, as well as conventions, concerts and other large events. He added that Portland has missed out on opportunities such as the NBA All-Star Game and NCAA Tournament games because the arena has not been updated.
The legislative action coincides with the pending sale of the Trail Blazers by the late Paul Allen’s estate to a group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon. The NBA Board of Governors is expected to vote on the transaction later this month. Local officials said the renovation plan helped ease concerns that new ownership might relocate the team.
Silver did not speak with reporters at the game but reiterated in the team’s interview that modernizing the Moda Center is essential for the region’s economy and its sports franchises.
Source: ESPN.com
