On paper, it’s hard to find fault with how well the year 2026 has been going for Tom Dundon. He’s been the owner of the NHL’s Carolina Panthers since 2018, and after seven seasons of consecutive playoff appearances that all ended in disappointment–sometimes painfully–the good folks of Raleigh-Durham and their extended fan base throughout both Carolinas was rewarded with their first Stanley Cup in 20 years. And just before he hoisted that trophy he marched into Portland, Oregon to take over as owner of their beloved Trail Blazers just in time to see them return to the NBA post-season for the first time in five seasons, surprising most pundits with a thrilling road victory over the favored Phoenix Suns and actually capturing a game against the eventual conference champion San Antonio Spurs.
But even that accomplishment was tinged with controversy. Two-way players Caleb Love, Chris Youngblood, and Jayson Kent were forced to stay home with their fans for the road games against the Spurs, the only such NBA team to not allow these otherwise ineligible players to at least cheer on their teammates in person. Personnel that did make the trip were having to scramble out of the team hotel early to avoid late fees. And the fans who did get to attend the eventual home losses at Moda Center were denied the otherwise common courtesy of being rewarded with playoff-themed swag to show off their pride.
Since that exit, he hasn’t exactly displayed an Andrew Carnegie-like approach to doing business and currying favor with anyone he might have made a lousy first impression on. In the past few days, he’s actually doubled down on the qualities that have had him dubbed “El Cheapo” by Podfather Bill Simmons. TALKSPORT’s Alex Worth reported Tuesday on the lack of progress he’s been making with the city itself:
The debate around funding renovations to the Blazers’ home venue, Moda Center, has gone from bad to worse. Initially, Dundon has said he is not willing to contribute financially towards the $600 million upgrades. “It feels like we’re making a pretty big investment by staying here and paying these tax rates,” Dundon said at the time.
The state of Oregon has committed up to $365 million towards the renovation and Multnomah County has given $88 million, according to Front Office Sports. Progress stalled as city officials debate the funding source for their portion, around $120 million. After talks, the team and the city are now increasingly at odds over a proposed term sheet that would oversee the project.
According to industry sources and multiple reports, the Trail Blazers are strongly rebuking the term sheet issued last week by the city that would require a $3 million annual payment for a property tax offset, a 20-year lease term that requires all home game at the Moda Center, and “a labor harmony agreement” likely leading to unionized jobs at the arena,” Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports wrote.
He’s hardly treating his actual employees any better. NEWSWEEK’s Megan Armstrong dropped this update on that front late last night:
In May, Dundon came under fire for laying off around 70 people, including Casey Holdahl, who had been the Blazers’ team reporter for 18 years. The Trail Blazers are undergoing another round of brutal layoffs, perpetuating the feeling in Portland that Dundon is more interested in saving money than operating a competitive team that’s connected to its community…”After 19 seasons with the Blazers broadcast team, TV analyst Michael Holton has been let go, as well as statistician Tom Haberstroh, former ESPN legend and Blazers’ TV host Neil Everett, and TV host Jamie Hudson,” Maury Brown of Forbes reported Tuesday night, July 21. “Several other broadcasters’ contracts have lapsed, with deep pay cuts being expected in some places.
Shortly after Brown’s piece dropped ESSENTIALLY SPORTS’ Caroline John noted yet another media shoe dropped:
Portland’s owner is now facing a fresh round of backlash after (Kevin) Calabro, the team’s TV voice for nine seasons, confirmed he’s walking away instead of taking the offer…Calabro chose his exit line carefully. TellingThe Oregonian’s Joe Freeman that the Trail Blazers’ latest contract offer was “subprime,” a word that many interpreted as more than just a description of the contract… Dundon, controlling owner and CEO of the Portland Trail Blazers, built part of his fortune in subprime lending, and his former company agreed to pay $550 million in 2020 to settle predatory-lending claims brought by several state attorneys general, including Oregon’s. The dig hence landed instantly across Rip City.
Even when Dundon does bite the bullet and actually hire people he’s created negative headlines for the remaining media still covering him. He chose to part ways with interim coach Tiago Splitter, who led the Blazers to that surprising post-season berth in the wake of head coach Chauncey Billups’ scandal-tinged departure mere days after the start of the 2025-26 season, and chose veteran Micah Nori for his first-ever HC gig–at a substantially lower salary. And the one big off-season move he made personnel-wise was taking a flyer on the talented but troubled Ja Morant, no lock to actually stay healthy or focused enough to be a next step in improving upon last year.
Dundon fiercely defends his moves as being ones with a track record of proven success and will point to his recently earner Stanley Cup as evidence. So much so, in fact, that he recently made further polarizing headlines by insisting his name had a much more prominent presence on it, as ATHLON SPORTS’ Ankit Kumar so amplified:
Former NHL defenseman Ryan Whitney became the latest prominent voice to question Dundon’s decision during the Spittin Chiclets podcast. Whitney admitted he had previously enjoyed interviewing Dundon and appreciated his candid personality.
His opinion changed after seeing the Stanley Cup engraving. “And then the picture comes out,” Whitney said. “The top two rows are Dundon, Dundon, Dundon, Dundon. I believe, was it eight names?” Paul Bissonnette corrected him, saying, “I think seven.” Whitney replied, “Seven. His entire family, one of which… a five-year-old. It looks ridiculous.”
THE RALEIGH NEWS AND OBSERVER’s
(T)he addition of family members who are deemed to be “involved with the team” isn’t new. In 2024 and 2025, Florida Panthers owner Vincent Viola included his wife, Teresa, and their three sons.
But just because someone can do something doesn’t mean it’s gonna win points. And draconian decisions by a billionaire to slash costs to the rank and file and place his family above and beyond them sounds awfully reminiscent of a management style that plays far better in North Carolina than they do in a city as unapologetically blue as Portland.
Hence these are nervous times indeed for those that benefit from having a major league team in an otherwise minor league city. ROUNDTABLE SPORTS’ Kyler Fox shone a light on one such reaction earlier this morning:
Speaking with KGW’s David Molko, Columbia Sportswear chairman and CEO Tim Boyle weighed in on the increasingly contentious negotiations surrounding the Moda Center, urging both owner Tom Dundon and local officials to find common ground before the franchise’s long-term future becomes any more uncertain.
Boyle made it clear he believes keeping the Blazers in Portland extends far beyond basketball. He described the franchise as one of the city’s defining institutions, arguing its impact on Portland’s identity, reputation and community can’t simply be measured in dollars. “The community needs what the Blazers offer,” Boyle said. “… helping Portland become better, helping the police — whatever it might be.”
Yeah, I’m not holding my breath that Dundon’s giving that much thought. Judging by his taste in apparel, he doesn’t strike me as one who wears a lot of Columbia merch. 
But at least those that remain in his employ won’t likely have to worry about an encore of his hubris should they actually succeed, since the Larry O’Brien trophy that NBA champions win doesn’t include the names of any players, let alone family members. It doesn’t appear that the Blazers will be in contention for one in the foreseeable future, and even when they do they may very likely be doing so with a new home and identity.
Courage…