Dundon Met with Portland Officials on Arena Lease
The Trail Blazers owner discussed state-backed stadium funding during a series of meetings.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Basketball
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Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon met with legislative and business leaders in Portland to discuss the future of the Moda Center. These meetings occurred alongside the team's exhibition victory against the London Lions.
Why it matters
The team seeks a more vibrant business landscape and has expressed concerns regarding state tax structures and team profitability. Securing a long-term lease agreement is a required condition for accessing state-authorized renovation bonding.
The state has authorized $365 million in bonding for improvements to the Moda Center, which originally opened in 1995. The Trail Blazers, who have played in Portland since 1970, must secure a long-term lease by December 31, 2026, to utilize these funds.
The players
Tom Dundon
He is the owner of the Trail Blazers who acquired the professional basketball franchise in March 2026.
Kate Lieber
She serves as a member of the Oregon State Senate who participated in discussions regarding arena financing.
Ben Bowman
He is a member of the Oregon House of Representatives who met with team ownership to discuss the Moda Center.
Jeff Swickard
He is an auto industry magnate based in the region who met with Dundon to discuss the local business climate.
The details
Tom Dundon, who purchased the franchise in March 2026, met with Sen. Kate Lieber, Rep. Ben Bowman, and auto magnate Jeff Swickard on October 12, 2026. The proposed arena project is intended to modernize the facility, which currently operates under a lease set to expire in 2030.
Timeline
March 2026: Tom Dundon acquired the Trail Blazers franchise.
September 2026: Dundon met with Portland City Administrator Raymond Lee.
October 12, 2026: Dundon met with legislative leaders and attended the exhibition game.
October 21, 2026: Dundon will return to Portland for the season opener.
December 31, 2026: The deadline for a long-term lease agreement to secure state bonding.
Season Trajectory
The potential renovation of the Moda Center is essential for the long-term competitive health of the franchise in the Pacific Northwest. Finalizing the stadium deal aligns the team's physical assets with the ownership's goal of improving overall profitability.
The outcome of these negotiations will determine the long-term feasibility of the Moda Center as a professional sports venue. Fans should monitor the December 31 deadline as it directly impacts the future infrastructure and stadium capabilities for the Trail Blazers.
The takeaway
The team's ability to remain in a modernized arena depends on aligning business goals with local legislative requirements. Stakeholders should track upcoming negotiation sessions to understand the timeline for potential facility upgrades.
What happens next
A long-term lease agreement must be reached by December 31, 2026, to secure the state-authorized bonding for the arena renovations.
Further reading
For more information on team operations, visit Basketball.
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