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Tom Dundon put on blast by Portland city council president amid Blazers stadium squabble appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It looks like the squabble between Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon and the city government over the renovation of Moda Center will not end anytime soon.
Dundon has maintained that he will not spend any money on the renovation, which is estimated to cost $600 million, urging the city government to use public funds instead. Moda Center was built in 1995 and has yet to undergo an overhaul.
Dundon has become notorious for his frugality despite his estimated net worth of $2.3 billion. He has stressed that he is already spending a lot on the Trail Blazers, and fixing Moda Center should not be an added financial burden to him.
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In a report from The Athletic’s Jason Quick, Portland city council president Jamie Dunphy put Dundon on blast, claiming that the business tycoon is only interested in making a profit.
“My most generous interpretation is that Tom Dundon is a serious businessman who wants a return on his assets, and perhaps he is playing hardball with us. You know, Paul Allen always seemed to want to be in Portland, seemed to care about his role as a leader in Portland, and the future of our city and the pride that the Blazers bring us,” said Dunphy, referring to Dundon’s predecessor.
“I don’t think Tom Dundon is as concerned about that as he is getting a return on his investment. Perhaps it’s him looking for an excuse to blame the city so he can move the team. I’m not sure. But if he is actively trying to give a worse impression to Portlanders and Oregonians, I don’t think he could do a better job.”
The city government, which owns Moda Center, already sent a term sheet to the Trail Blazers, offering a 20-year lease.
Quick noted that the issue has left the fans “frustrated and abandoned,” but Dunphy stressed that they are doing everything to find a solution and “move forward on the deal.” He added that they are not keen on bringing the matter to court.
The Trail Blazers have insisted that Dundon, who also owns the Carolina Hurricanes, is not planning to relocate the team.
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