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Ed O · 08-03-2006, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fork

I'm not so sure they consider Portland the 'same market.' Portland is in Seattle's territory, but that doesn't mean they're the same market.

Similarly, since they have no NFL team, Los Angeles would be in Oakland or San Francisco's territory...but certainly not the same market.

From Helen Jung's blog from July 20:

Quote:

I called the NFL to ask if they have any rule or regulation that would prevent Paul Allen from owning an NBA franchise in the same market (Seattle). And the answer? No. In fact, in the NFL's eyes, Allen already DOES own an NFL franchise and an NBA franchise in the same market and is an example of what the league allows, said NFL communications director Brian McCarthy. (The NBA does not prohibit ownership of another major-league franchise).

Yep. Seattle, Portland -- it's the same to them! Which of course are fighting words around here. But oh well, guess this answers any question about whether the NFL would ever consider sticking a team here.

(Emphasis added by me.)

Ed O.

Trailblazed&Confused · 08-03-2006, 06:56 PM

I'm cautiously happy about this one. I'm really happy that the teams ownership is not up in the air anymore (at least for the moment), but I want to see PA's level of interest in the team and the RG before I get too excited. I love having an owner with deep pockets, but only as long as he is showing an interest in the team itself, not just the value of the team. I would rather have a Mark Cuban-like owner, who cares deeply about the team, but may not have as much money as PA, rather than a reserved business like owner who is complaining about the bottom line. I just want to see PA buy the RG back, bite the financial bullet getting the fans back, and keep a smart management team in charge who can keep us winning some games without alienating the fans. It has been done before, it can be done again.

Public Defender · 08-03-2006, 07:04 PM

I agree that this is basically, good news. I seriously doubt that the Blazers will move to Seattle for the reasons outlined above. It would cost Allen more to move the Blazers and deal with the Seattle political climate than it would to just adjust to what's happening in Portland.

If Paul Allen knew a way out of that long-term lease, he would never have put the team up for sale. He was hoping one of two things would happen - a.) an ownership group would come along that would overpay for the team so he could feel good about losing money on the Blazers for years, or b.) that no team would show up but he'd generate some interest, and perhaps some political will, to get some kind of assistance on the arena. I think he's working on B as we speak.

Incidentally, I think the fact that the team made some sound moves recently might have given him reason to keep the team. Let's not forget that Paul Allen owns the Blazers because he's a fan, it's not because it's a smart business move. The team got boring - even humiliating at times, to be associated with. Now, with a promising crop of young talent and a few veterans, the team's far from perfect, but it's looking a whole lot better than it did six months ago.

wastro · 08-03-2006, 08:01 PM

I'm cautiously optimistic about this deal today. But this has been a rollercoaster ride so far, and it's not over yet. So I'm still holding onto the bar for dear life.

barfo · 08-03-2006, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oil Can

For Paul to move the franchise it would take:

1.) Relocation fee of $50 million

ok, that's $50 mil, assuming it doesn't get waived for some reason

Quote:

2.) New arena which would cost either him, the taxpayers, or a combination of the 2 in access of $350 million

Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that the taxpayers pick it up. So we are still at $50 mil.

Quote:

3.) damages paid via settlement to the City of Portland that could cost as much as $700/800 million dollars.

Or, it could cost one trillion zillion dollars. Or zero dollars. Lets assume for the moment zero. We are
still at $50 million. Completely affordable for Paul, if that's the direction he's going.

barfo

wastro · 08-03-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barfo

ok, that's $50 mil, assuming it doesn't get waived for some reason

Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that the taxpayers pick it up. So we are still at $50 mil.

Or, it could cost one trillion zillion dollars. Or zero dollars. Lets assume for the moment zero. We are
still at $50 million. Completely affordable for Paul, if that's the direction he's going.

barfo

Lots of assumptions in there. Lots of assumptions going the other way, too. For now, though, it's unclear until Paul makes his intentions public.

**talman** · 08-03-2006, 11:20 PM

I think that one thing is absolutely clear. If Paul Allen's intention is to move the team then there will be a massive payout to the city of Portland.

As far as the dollars involved, I'd imagine it would be extremely close to the present value of the cashflows lost for the city from twenty-something years left on the contract. The exact amount of what those lost revenues for the city would be is up to the lawyers to fight over. I could see it easily being in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

barfo · 08-03-2006, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talman

I think that one thing is absolutely clear. If Paul Allen's intention is to move the team then there will be a massive payout to the city of Portland.

As far as the dollars involved, I'd imagine it would be extremely close to the present value of the cashflows lost for the city from twenty-something years left on the contract. The exact amount of what those lost revenues for the city would be is up to the lawyers to fight over. I could see it easily being in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

I don't think that's absolutely clear at all, unless you are saying you are a contract lawyer and you've read the contract. In which case, please let us know the details. Otherwise, I'd say it's absolutely speculation.

barfo

Utherhimo · 08-03-2006, 11:43 PM

actually Paul T had liked the idea of an NFL team in Portland a couple years back but hey there is no stadium to house it (lame!)! we are the 23rd market in the US which is add at least 6 or more current nfl teams, its beyond lame that we dont have a stadium!

**HOWIE** · 08-04-2006, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utherhimo

actually Paul T had liked the idea of an NFL team in Portland a couple years back but hey there is no stadium to house it (lame!)! we are the 23rd market in the US which is add at least 6 or more current nfl teams, its beyond lame that we dont have a stadium!

I wouldn't mind seeing a team here, there would only be one game a week and it wouldn't break you for season tickets in the wallet or kill you with time spent at the stadium. I'd go to games if there was a team in town.

To bad Paul Allen already has a NFL team huh?

Anonymous Gambler · 08-04-2006, 12:26 AM

Personally, I'm happy to have Allen remain as the owner and don't care too much how he resolves the situation with PAM- I trust it will work out in some way.

I wonder if he will hire Kiki now or if Pritchard has the leg up.

**HOWIE** · 08-04-2006, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymous Gambler

Personally, I'm happy to have Allen remain as the owner and don't care too much how he resolves the situation with PAM- I trust it will work out in some way.

I wonder if he will hire Kiki now or if Pritchard has the leg up.

I think that Pritchard has won the job with this Summer, what more does this guy have to prove that he is the right guy for the job before the make him GM?

Utherhimo · 08-04-2006, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOWIE

I wouldn't mind seeing a team here, there would only be one game a week and it wouldn't break you for season tickets in the wallet or kill you with time spent at the stadium. I'd go to games if there was a team in town.

To bad Paul Allen already has a NFL team huh?

yes too bad why cant there be an owner investing in a team here? sucks! mlb mls nfl come on its time!

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