Portland council invites Trail Blazers chief, team declines to meet on lease terms
The Trail Blazers refused a request from Portland officials to attend a council work session on the arena lease proposal.
Portland City Council president Jamie Dunphy wrote to Blazers president Dewayne Hankins, asking him to join a Thursday work session with the 12-member council to discuss the city's term sheet. The franchise declined, indicating the gap in negotiations remains wide. The meeting was intended to address the team's concerns over the lease agreement.
Why it matters
The deadlock may postpone a new arena deal that impacts the team's stability and municipal finances.
In this story
Trail Blazers leasePortland council work sessionarena lease negotiationsterm sheetcity invitationDewayne HankinsJamie DunphyPortland arena deal