Blazers Make Sweeping Layoffs on Business Side Under New Owner
Willamette Week • • sports
Key Points:
- The Portland Trail Blazers laid off between 40 and 70 business-side staff members, representing about 20% of the business office, as part of a restructuring effort under new owner Tom Dundon.
- Dewayne Hankins, Blazers president of business operations, confirmed the layoffs but did not specify the exact number, emphasizing support for affected employees and positioning the team for long-term success.
- The layoffs affected employees at various levels, including a senior vice president and longtime team reporter Casey Holdahl, who had been with the organization for 18 years.
- The team has yet to file a required WARN notice with the state of Oregon, despite laying off more than 10 workers.
- These cuts come amid ongoing negotiations for $600 million in public funding to renovate Moda Center and increased national scrutiny of Dundon’s cost-cutting strategies since purchasing the team for $4.2 billion.