Poll Shows Low Approval for Trail Blazers Owner

A survey indicates that few Oregon voters hold a favorable view of Tom Dundon following his 2026 acquisition of the team.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Basketball

Poll Shows Low Approval for Trail Blazers Owner

Live Poll

Should taxpayer money be used to renovate privately owned sports arenas in your area?

An October 1 poll shows that only 7% of Oregon voters view Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon favorably. The survey highlights widespread uncertainty regarding the ownership group following a $4.25 billion purchase of the franchise in March 2026.

Why it matters

The low favorability ratings follow significant organizational changes, including 70 staff layoffs and a demand for a $600 million taxpayer-funded renovation of the Moda Center. These figures reflect a broader disconnect between the team ownership and the local community.

The DHM Research survey of 600 registered voters revealed that only 5% of Portland residents view Tom Dundon favorably, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. Statewide, 64% of voters indicated that team retention is not a priority.

The players

Tom Dundon

He is the primary owner of the Trail Blazers following his $4.25 billion purchase of the NBA franchise in 2026.

DHM Research

This firm specializes in public opinion polling and conducted the survey regarding the Trail Blazers ownership.

Micah Nori

He is the current head coach of the Trail Blazers who signed a one-year contract with the team.

The details

Tom Dundon, who purchased the team for $4.25 billion, has faced scrutiny after overseeing more than 70 layoffs at the organization. Despite his push for a $600 million renovation of the Moda Center, 55% of Portland voters indicated that a final deal for the arena is not important to them.

Tom Dundon purchased the Trail Blazers in March 2026.
DHM Research conducted the voter survey between Sept. 24 and Oct. 1, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The survey data complicates the franchise narrative as the team looks to balance new leadership under Micah Nori with contentious stadium funding demands. This tension between ownership priorities and voter sentiment could impact long-term stadium negotiations and city relations.

Voter indifference toward the future of the Moda Center suggests that future requests for public funding may face significant legislative or ballot-box resistance. The ongoing ownership unpopularity may also influence future staff and front-office recruitment for the organization.

The takeaway

Public sentiment in Oregon appears largely disengaged or unfavorable toward the current ownership's push for infrastructure spending. Residents remain focused on the team's operational changes rather than the high-profile renovation proposals for the arena.