Well, huge news tonight on the
future of the Portland Trail Blazers.
And when we say it is really big,
we are not exaggerating here.
That's because according to ESPN Phil Knight,
of course a very familiar face here
in Oregon is working to buy the team.
Orlando Sanchez shows us what we know
about the Nike Founders reported offer.
What a day. ESPN's Adrian or Janowsky
reporting that Nike founder Phil Knight
and Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner
Alan Smolinski have made a written
offer to buy the Portland Trail
Blazers for more than $2 billion.
But the Blazers tell ESPN the
team is not for sale.
John Canzano told us on sports Sunday.
It's only a matter of time before the
team is sold because the late Paul Allen
had instructions to liquidate his trust.
After he passed away and the plan was to
put the franchise on the auction block,
Canzano said the desired price
is around $3 billion.
He tells us Phil Knight met with
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on two
separate occasions over the past month.
Corzano says selling the team
tonight is the best move.
If you're a blazer fan,
or if you're a resident of the
state of Oregon or Portland,
this is an anchor move for a franchise
that is felt adrift if this happens.
The Trail Blazers entire trajectory
changes in a positive way,
so I think this is Blazer fans.
I think you're right to be excited by this,
and I think you're right to
celebrate it because if Phil
Knight wants this to happen,
this is going to happen.
Knight was born in Portland,
has roots in the state of Oregon.
He's 84 years old.
And this would add to his legacy.
And it's not just John Canzano
who believes Phil Knight buying
the Blazers would be a good thing.
Catherine Cook talked to Blazers fans
who are still reeling over the news.
This was a huge surprise to fans and
something a lot of them are really
excited about the idea of local
ownership and Phil Knight at that.
What they really want is to feel
secure about the Portland Trail
Blazers staying. In Portland,
well, Phil 9's already a big pillar
of our community. I think it's great
at the spirit of 77 Thursday night,
the teams on the screen wore green,
blue and yellow,
but the buzz was what's on tap for
the red and black ESPN reporting.
Nike founder Phil Knight,
along with Alan Smolinski,
a minority owner of the LA Dodgers,
offered more than $2 billion and are in
serious talks to buy the Trail Blazers.
And it's exciting.
We needed new ownership,
a new direction. It's been a
little stale the last few years.
And like ever since Paul Allen died,
it's been kind of.
I don't know.
It's a new life.
I'm really excited about
it. I would love it.
I went to U of OI love Phil knight.
You know, I think it would be an
awesome awesome person to buy the team
if there was such a thing of
really firing up the Rip city
faithful here in the offseason.
This is about as big as it gets.
Michael Lewellen spent seven years as a
Trail Blazers rose quarter vice president.
They also spent five years at Nike.
He's at the University of Portland now
and like the rest of Rip City, is paying
close attention to how this plays out.
It's exciting on multiple fronts.
Anytime there's an opportunity
for a a native son of Oregon to
step forward in a hero role,
which Phil Knight certainly would
be if he became the majority
owner of the Trail Blazers.
The Blazers maintained
the team is not for sale.
As for his future NBA Commissioner.
Adam Silver weighed in,
saying Portland has been a
wonderful community for the NBA.
My preference would be that
the team remains in Portland.
I have no idea if there are other bidding
entities that have shown interest,
but if there ever was a name to rise
to the top to consider buying and being
the majority owner of the Portland
Trail Blazers in the state of Oregon,
it does not get any bigger than Phil Knight.
Ohh back at spirit of 77.
The NBA Finals roll on without the Trail
Blazers but change is in this night air.
I don't know if he's gonna like make
Portland championship team. I'm all for it
in Northeast Portland,
Catherine Cook, KGW news here.
Heard him there. It doesn't get any
bigger than that right now and he
would be a knight in shining armor if
he pulls this off right? Leave it.
Leave the puns to you rooting for him,
right? Well still to come.