Canzano: Pulling back curtain on Tom Dundon's charade
Bald Faced Truth by John Canzano • • sports
Key Points:
- Tom Dundon’s ownership group of the Trail Blazers has been unresponsive to Portland city officials' efforts to negotiate, ignoring written questions and avoiding clear commitments regarding financial contributions or rent payments.
- City officials express frustration, emphasizing their willingness to invest hundreds of millions in public funds for a long-term lease if Dundon's group engages meaningfully.
- Dundon's group has been spreading media narratives accusing the city of being non-responsive, which insiders dispute, highlighting a lack of constructive dialogue from the ownership side.
- Comparisons are drawn to Clay Bennett's tactics during the Seattle SuperSonics relocation, with criticism directed at NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for allowing the current uncertainty to persist.
- Responsibility for a potential Trail Blazers departure is partly attributed to Jody Allen, the team trustee, who is described as untrustworthy by some parties involved.
