Moda Center/Rose Quarter News

[MarkDaMan]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

Does the Moda Center really need to be replaced? Just because it is now one of the oldest NBA arenas doesn't mean it needs to be torn down and rebuilt.

I know the article goes on to blather about new stadium costs, but I am thinking Knight and Co. would be more interested in a rehab like the Footprint Center in Phoenix as opposed to leveling and starting anew. The Footprint is also older than Moda. Arenas are getting smaller, not bigger, and the Moda has already had capacity reduced twice, I believe. But a new scoreboard and upgraded concourses and finally building the surrounding neighborhood out would be so amazing.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by MarkDaMan

I know the article goes on to blather about new stadium costs, but I am thinking Knight and Co. would be more interested in a rehab like the Footprint Center in Phoenix as opposed to leveling and starting anew. The Footprint is also older than Moda. Arenas are getting smaller, not bigger, and the Moda has already had capacity reduced twice, I believe. But a new scoreboard and upgraded concourses and finally building the surrounding neighborhood out would be so amazing.

That is what I would hope happened, a good renovation and upgrades would be much better than a complete rebuild. I think, even at its age, the Moda Center is still a good arena.

Personally I am not in the Knight camp buying the team. I just don't see that happening since it doesn't look like Jody has any interest in selling, nor should she if she is enjoying running a team.

[Tykendo]

I love the Moda Center. The roof design makes the arena stand out against most bland roof lines in the league including Chase Center which has the ho hum flat top. The Bowl is fantastic. Great for noise. I could see upgrading the scoreboard to what is being done in other arenas. But the Moda center is still a fantastic place. Maybe they could open up the concourses ,upper and lower , more with exterior glass. But as a sports architecture lover, Moda Center has stood the test of time as far as arena design goes.

[Tykendo]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

That is what I would hope happened, a good renovation and upgrades would be much better than a complete rebuild. I think, even at its age, the Moda Center is still a good arena.

Personally I am not in the Knight camp buying the team. I just don't see that happening since it doesn't look like Jody has any interest in selling, nor should she if she is enjoying running a team.

Totally agree.

[MarkDaMan]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

Personally I am not in the Knight camp buying the team. I just don't see that happening since it doesn't look like Jody has any interest in selling, nor should she if she is enjoying running a team.

I have not been privy to the will Paul Allen left behind, and Jody hasn't provided clarification, so my opinion is based solely on what has been publicly stated and my own personal speculation.

Paul intended for the vast majority of his wealth (perhaps all) to be donated to charity. Jody was named executer and trustee upon Paul's death. This does not give her ownership and flexibility to manage the sports teams. Many team owners need to deficit spend to field a successful team, and there's not been the indication that Jody has the ability to tap into other assets held in the Trust to win Portland a championship. If the goal as an owner of a sports team is to maximize profit, they generally won't be able to field a championship team. As a restricted owner for the next 10 or 20 years, that could lead to a mediocre at best team being fielded during that ownership period.

We have a known interested local buyer who despite faults, has a deep connection to his home state. He also has money to not only field a championship team, but provide long needed updates to both the Moda Center and the neighborhood, including bringing in a WNBA team. He also has a succession plan with bringing in Alan Smolinisky as a co-owner.

This is about as best as it can get for a small market pro team. The team and the city will be better off the sooner Paul's fortune can be put to his personally identified useful passions like cancer research, conservation and climate change reduction programs; and we can transition to an active and local ownership group that is focused on winning a championship and revitalizing the neighborhood.

[winstonLT5]

Originally Posted by MarkDaMan

I have not been privy to the will Paul Allen left behind, and Jody hasn't provided clarification, so my opinion is based solely on what has been publicly stated and my own personal speculation.

Paul intended for the vast majority of his wealth (perhaps all) to be donated to charity. Jody was named executer and trustee upon Paul's death. This does not give her ownership and flexibility to manage the sports teams. Many team owners need to deficit spend to field a successful team, and there's not been the indication that Jody has the ability to tap into other assets held in the Trust to win Portland a championship. If the goal as an owner of a sports team is to maximize profit, they generally won't be able to field a championship team. As a restricted owner for the next 10 or 20 years, that could lead to a mediocre at best team being fielded during that ownership period.

We have a known interested local buyer who despite faults, has a deep connection to his home state. He also has money to not only field a championship team, but provide long needed updates to both the Moda Center and the neighborhood, including bringing in a WNBA team. He also has a succession plan with bringing in Alan Smolinisky as a co-owner.

This is about as best as it can get for a small market pro team. The team and the city will be better off the sooner Paul's fortune can be put to his personally identified useful passions like cancer research, conservation and climate change reduction programs; and we can transition to an active and local ownership group that is focused on winning a championship and revitalizing the neighborhood.

+1. The sooner this can happen, the better.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by MarkDaMan

I have not been privy to the will Paul Allen left behind, and Jody hasn't provided clarification, so my opinion is based solely on what has been publicly stated and my own personal speculation.

Paul intended for the vast majority of his wealth (perhaps all) to be donated to charity. Jody was named executer and trustee upon Paul's death. This does not give her ownership and flexibility to manage the sports teams. Many team owners need to deficit spend to field a successful team, and there's not been the indication that Jody has the ability to tap into other assets held in the Trust to win Portland a championship. If the goal as an owner of a sports team is to maximize profit, they generally won't be able to field a championship team. As a restricted owner for the next 10 or 20 years, that could lead to a mediocre at best team being fielded during that ownership period.

We have a known interested local buyer who despite faults, has a deep connection to his home state. He also has money to not only field a championship team, but provide long needed updates to both the Moda Center and the neighborhood, including bringing in a WNBA team. He also has a succession plan with bringing in Alan Smolinisky as a co-owner.

This is about as best as it can get for a small market pro team. The team and the city will be better off the sooner Paul's fortune can be put to his personally identified useful passions like cancer research, conservation and climate change reduction programs; and we can transition to an active and local ownership group that is focused on winning a championship and revitalizing the neighborhood.

I don't think Jody Allen is a "restricted owner," I think she is the owner of the team. From the looks of it, she seems to be able to do anything she wants with the team as they continue to compete and make moves.

At this point, people just need to accept that Jody is now the owner of the team and will continue to be until the day she dies or decides to sell the team.

[MarkDaMan]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

I don't think Jody Allen is a "restricted owner," I think she is the owner of the team. From the looks of it, she seems to be able to do anything she wants with the team as they continue to compete and make moves.

At this point, people just need to accept that Jody is now the owner of the team and will continue to be until the day she dies or decides to sell the team.

She's a restricted owner. It would be horrific optics if she pulled resources from children's cancer research to snag a star NBA player. As I also mentioned before, there's no indication that she'd even be legally able to do that. Remember, additional resources directed to the Blazers are resources that aren't being put towards the charities Paul Allen had set up. The team will be better off if we resolved the ownership questions so we can focus on building a championship team.

This article from last month also raises red flags (with some caution because Lillard disputes the account on his behalf): https://nypost.com/2022/07/07/insiders-trail-blazers-owner-jody-allen-needs-to-sell-team/

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by MarkDaMan

She's a restricted owner. It would be horrific optics if she pulled resources from children's cancer research to snag a star NBA player. As I also mentioned before, there's no indication that she'd even be legally able to do that. Remember, additional resources directed to the Blazers are resources that aren't being put towards the charities Paul Allen had set up. The team will be better off if we resolved the ownership questions so we can focus on building a championship team.

This article from last month also raises red flags (with some caution because Lillard disputes the account on his behalf): https://nypost.com/2022/07/07/insiders-trail-blazers-owner-jody-allen-needs-to-sell-team/

I wouldn't read too much into that hit piece from the NYPost, it is basically the Fox News of newspapers and tends to print false information. Plus it wouldn't surprise me if Knight is paying for these articles to be written to try and force Jody to sell him the team.

As for Jody being a restricted owner, I don't think she is "restricted," I think she is the owner. As for Paul's assets, it will probably take 10-20 years to give out much of it to various organizations and charities. All of which, I don't think there is any requirement for Jody to sell either of the teams unless she doesn't want to own them.

based on the moves the team has made this off season, I think they are trying to build a championship team. If they weren't, they would have traded Dame for draft picks so that the next owner could build their own team. We will probably see bigger moves next off season based on how this team does this year, but I have a feeling the Blazers are gonna go deep in the playoffs in this next season thanks to all the improvements they have made with defense. Though it will be interesting to see how the bench plays out because that could be the different between winning or blowing a game.

[MarkDaMan]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

I wouldn't read too much into that hit piece from the NYPost, it is basically the Fox News of newspapers and tends to print false information. Plus it wouldn't surprise me if Knight is paying for these articles to be written to try and force Jody to sell him the team.

As for Jody being a restricted owner, I don't think she is "restricted," I think she is the owner. As for Paul's assets, it will probably take 10-20 years to give out much of it to various organizations and charities. All of which, I don't think there is any requirement for Jody to sell either of the teams unless she doesn't want to own them.

based on the moves the team has made this off season, I think they are trying to build a championship team. If they weren't, they would have traded Dame for draft picks so that the next owner could build their own team. We will probably see bigger moves next off season based on how this team does this year, but I have a feeling the Blazers are gonna go deep in the playoffs in this next season thanks to all the improvements they have made with defense. Though it will be interesting to see how the bench plays out because that could be the different between winning or blowing a game.

I think this is one of those agree to disagree situations, and I 100% respect your passion. Honestly, the only thing the two of us can actually do is watch this play out anyway.

If you're available it would be awesome to catch a game together next season! Maybe even an open SSP night, LOL. Regardless of the outcome the end game is the same, it's time to bring a new Championship to Portland!

[MarkDaMan]

Some great news this week in regards to the Moda Center.

The new WNBA team, Portland Fire, had a huge crowd at the unveiling earlier this week. The Fire will probably contribute some money to a massively revamped Rose Quarter/Moda Center.

Even with the uncertainty regarding the Blazers sale, that they brought back Lilliard for the next three years helps solidify fan support of the team. I cannot imagine a new owner taking Lillard out of Portland. People would be marching with pitchforks.

Let's hope that the long awaited Rose Quarter/Moda Center upgrades are sussed out soon. Despite some speculation in the news, I do not think a new arena is needed, just a remaking of what is already built.

[downtownpdx]

Yeah so glad we have a new team, the economic benefits will be nice for that area as well. I’m assuming their season is opposite the blazers? And I agree about Lillard, his return should solidify keeping the team in Portland.

[MarkDaMan]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

Yeah so glad we have a new team, the economic benefits will be nice for that area as well. I’m assuming their season is opposite the blazers? And I agree about Lillard, his return should solidify keeping the team in Portland.

There's a very slight overlap with the NBA in May (unless we make a deep run into the playoffs) but in general NBA is fall-spring and WNBA is spring-summer.

[Derek]

I literally shed some tears at the Lillard news.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by Derek

I literally shed some tears at the Lillard news.

Best news I have heard all week

[ThatDarnSacramentan]

Renovating Moda or building new will likely come down to whatever the new owner feels like doing. Both have pros and cons. It's the 7th oldest arena in the league now.

My instinct says that renovation will likely win out, only because there's a bit of a dearth of large urban plots for a new arena (unless the new owner gets bold and works something out at Lloyd Center). That will still leave a question of how extensive such a renovation would be and how long that would take. And there's only so much that could probably be done. It's not like they could wave their hands and turn Moda into the Golden 1 Center down in Sacramento, which IMHO from traveling the country and watching basketball, is the gold standard for arenas now (although I also admit I haven't made it to Intuit Dome yet).

[MarkDaMan]

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2025...press-case-to-keep-team-in-rip-city.html

New Trail Blazers arena? Portland business execs, former players press case to keep team in Rip City
Updated: Jul. 30, 2025, 12:39 p.m.|Published: Jul. 30, 2025, 6:00 a.m.
By Jonathan Bach | The Oregonian/OregonLive

A coalition that cuts across Oregon’s captains of industry and former Portland Trail Blazers are pushing Gov. Tina Kotek and Mayor Keith Wilson to heed NBA Commissioner Adam Silver when he says Rip City “likely needs a new arena” to keep the team here.

The newly formed group, calling itself Rip City Forever, said it will bankroll a group of subject matter experts to examine the cost, size and location of a new venue. It struck a partnership with the Oregon Community Foundation to accept donations for feasibility studies on renovating or replacing Moda Center and its other advocacy.

“We will hire arena architects who will look specifically at site options and think about, on a conceptual level for now, what would an arena footprint be like here?” former Blazers President Marshall Glickman, a Rip City Forever organizer, said in an interview.

It remains unclear who, precisely, would bankroll the arena work, either renovating on the city-owned Moda Center or new construction on a different site.

Glickman and others already offered the mayor and governor some ideas. Their group this week issued a letter to Kotek and Wilson, urging them to “significantly” renovate Moda Center or follow other cities’ example and replace the decades-old arena — either at Lloyd Center, itself undergoing a multiyear redevelopment, or elsewhere in the central city.

“Now is the time to dream big and act big,” they told the governor and mayor in the letter.

Glickman joins former Dutch Bros Chief Executive Joth Ricci, former Blazers operations chief Erin Hubert, former Blazers player and Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley and marketing agency founder Ryan Buchanan of Thesis in forming Rip City Forever...

...(continues)

[maccoinnich]

Similar story in Willamette Week.

[dizflip]

I've never found issues with the look and feel of Moda Center. I get that it was opened in the 90s, but is it really so bad as to warrant talks of a brand new arena? I recently visited Chase Center, and I personally couldn't tell you the difference.

[maccoinnich]

It's not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison, but I was at the pretty newly built Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas last month, and my reaction was "wow, this isn't nearly as nice as either Providence Park or the Moda Center". The newly renovated Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle is a probably a little nicer than the Moda Center, but there's not a huge amount to it from what I can tell.