Silver Celebrates Moda Center Renovation in Portland After State Approval

Adam Silver Visits Portland After Approval of Funds for Moda Center Renovation

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver attended the game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Utah Jazz on Friday night, after the Oregon Legislature approved funds for the renovation of the Moda Center. Last week, state lawmakers approved the measure granting the state joint ownership of the Moda Center with the city, providing a mechanism to secure $365 million for the renovation of the 30-year-old building. This legislative effort comes amid the sale of the Blazers by Paul Allen’s estate to a group led by Tom Dundon, owner of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. This helped to dispel fears that the new ownership might move the team out of Portland. During his visit to Portland, Silver met with local officials to discuss the next steps. He noted that the Moda Center is not only home to the Blazers, but will also be home to the expansion of the Portland Fire in the WNBA.

I’ve had great conversations with the governor and the mayor, and it’s been a bipartisan effort. I think everyone in this community recognizes that, in addition to the Trail Blazers and the Fire, and we can’t forget the Fire, who are about to start this season, these arenas are multi-use facilities, whether they’re conventions or trade shows, concerts, graduations, you name it. They are part of the lifeblood of the communities. So it’s not just for the Trail Blazers and the Fire. You need a state-of-the-art arena here.

Adam Silver

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver greets a referee before Friday night’s game between the Trail Blazers and the Jazz in Portland, Oregon.Silver made these comments in an interview published by the Blazers. He did not speak to reporters at the game. The Blazers have maintained that arena renovation is necessary to attract major events, such as the NBA All-Star Game and future NCAA Tournament games. The estimated total cost of the project is $600 million.

You need a state-of-the-art arena here. And the Moda Center has probably become the oldest building in the league. There may be one or two older buildings, but they’ve already gone through significant renovations. So you know this work needs to be done, not just for the city’s basketball teams, but for all those events, and because I know, on behalf of Portland’s economy, that some big events have been missed because this arena hasn’t been updated in a long time. So it’s a job that needs to be done. But it seems like the spirit is there.

Adam Silver

Allen’s estate has already agreed to the terms of the sale to Dundon. The NBA Board of Governors was expected to approve the sale later this month.