Portland Trail Blazers: Team Updates, Ownership Transition, and Future Prospects
The Portland Trail Blazers are currently in ninth place in the Western Conference with a record of 27-29 in the 2025-26 season. Damian Lillard, who signed a new contract but has been out due to injury, is a key figure for the team. Deni Avdija has stepped up as the leading scorer in Lillard's absence, averaging 25.2 points per game and leading in both scoring and assists. The team has faced off-court drama, including the arrest of head coach Chauncey Billups for alleged involvement in an illegal gambling ring, leading to Tiago Splitter taking over as interim coach. The Blazers had a disappointing previous season, missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
The team's ownership is also in transition, with the Trail Blazers nearing a sale after 37 years under the same ownership. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who bought the team in 1988, passed away in 2018, and his estate is now overseeing the sale process. In May 2025, the estate initiated the formal sale process, with Tom Dundon, owner of the Carolina Hurricanes, agreeing to purchase the team for $4.25 billion in August 2025. The sale is pending NBA approval and is expected to be finalized soon. The record-breaking sale of the Boston Celtics earlier in 2025 influenced the high price of the Blazers' sale, representing a significant return on Allen's initial investment.
The sale of the Trail Blazers will not include the Seattle Seahawks, another team owned by Allen, or his stake in the MLS' Seattle Sounders. The proceeds from the sale will go to charity, in accordance with Allen's wishes. With the Blazers' sale nearing completion, attention will shift to the future ownership of the Seahawks.