Portland Area Mayors Urge Investment in Moda Center to Retain Trail Blazers
Published: 4:05 PM Monday, July 20, 2026
Portland metropolitan area mayors are calling on key state leaders, including Gov. Tina Kotek and Multnomah County Chair Vega Pederson, to ensure the Portland Trail Blazers remain in the city.
Concerns have emerged that new Blazers owner Tom Dundon may relocate the team unless an agreement for funding renovations at the Moda Center is established. While the state of Oregon and Multnomah County have committed to investing in renovations, the city of Portland is awaiting a likely vote in August.
In a letter from the Metropolitan Mayor’s Consortium, signed by Chair Lacey Beaty and Vice-Chair Joe Buck (mayor of Lake Oswego), along with 24 other mayors—including Portland’s Keith Wilson—specific mention of the Portland City Council was absent. The mayors addressed stakeholders considering the funding of the improvements.
The letter stated, “Our region came together to ask how we can most responsibly foster the next generation of sports and entertainment and the host of economic benefits that follow. Oregon’s legislature stepped up to fund two-thirds of a stadium renovation, and Multnomah County will contribute another 15%. That leaves about 21%, less than a quarter of the overall cost.”
The mayors emphasized the necessity for a decision that serves the community while ensuring investment in the arena. “Kids in every one of our cities hang Blazers and Fire jerseys in their closets, and they deserve to benefit from all the stadium creates. Just as importantly, they deserve a chance to say, ‘this is our year,’ and not ‘remember when…?’”
As negotiations seem to have stalled, it was reported that the city of Portland submitted a 20-year lease agreement including $600 million in public funds for renovations, which the Blazers have termed a “non-starter.” The future of the franchise in Portland hangs in the balance as city officials continue to negotiate.
