Nike founder Phil Knight in talks to purchase Trail Blazers
from Adam Stites, with www.yardbarker.com
Nike founder Phil Knight and Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Alan Smolinisky are in talks to purchase the Portland Trail Blazers and have already made a written offer of more than $2B for the franchise, according to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
For 30 years, the Trail Blazers were owned by Microsoft founder Paul Allen until his death in 2018. Since then, the team has been overseen by the Paul G. Allen Trust managed by Allen’s sister, Jody Allen. The trust also oversees the Seattle Seahawks.
Knight, 84, is one of the richest men in America with a net worth estimated by Forbes at nearly $60B.
According to Wojnarowski, Knight’s inclusion in the bid likely means that the ownership group would plan to keep the franchise in Portland. Knight has been a significant donor for his alma mater, the University of Oregon, for decades and has kept the Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
Smolinisky, 42, joined the Dodgers ownership group — which also includes Todd Boehly, Magic Johnson, and Billie Jean King — in 2019.