26 Comments
User's avatar
Shawna's avatar

Phil's living son is Travis! Matthew died in a scuba diving accident years ago... Hence Matt Court!

Expand full comment
John Canzano's avatar

Yes. Fixed it. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Mike Pulzone's avatar

Thanks for the insightful coverage of Uncle Phil’s bid.

This is late but your response to the horrific murders in Texas struck a strong chord here. We are with you. Sign that petition!

Expand full comment
Jerry's avatar

Thank you for the insight. However, I think you were being overly kind when you referred to the Trailblazer "braintrust". They won't have one of those until Knight takes over!

Expand full comment
MJK0703's avatar

I would like to see this transpire. I want the Trail Blazers to stay in Portland where they belong.

Expand full comment
ChrisTom's avatar

The more I read about Smolinsky, the more I like him. He's exactly the type of owner both the Blazers and the league need. Here's hoping he can put something similar together for the Seahawks.

Expand full comment
David M. Scott's avatar

Good one, John. Like that early 90’s song: “Please don’t go.”

Expand full comment
David M. Scott's avatar

Good one, John. Like that old early 90’s song: “Please don’t go.”

Expand full comment
Ken Goe's avatar

Well-reasoned and articulated. Thanks, JC!

Expand full comment
Tim Monterossi's avatar

More great information John. Any idea what these “passion projects” are that the trust is supposed to fund after the liquidation??

Just curious.

Expand full comment
John Canzano's avatar

Brain research, Artificial Intelligence, Philanthropy, museums, etc.

Expand full comment
Tim Monterossi's avatar

Thanks. Also, just subscribed. You are too good for me to keep getting your insight for free. Keep up the good work!

Expand full comment
John Canzano's avatar

That means a lot to me. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Walt's avatar

As a Blazer fan I welcome a ownership bid from an Oregonian. However the China connection with both the NBA & Nike makes my skin crawl. I consciously never buy any products advertised on ESPN. My preference would be that all woke companies go belly up and good rational (moral) ones prevail. We are in the middle of chaos and downtown Portland is the evidence. The good people of Oregon need to throw out the stinky garbage.....

Expand full comment
Julie Pratt's avatar

So do share which companies are the “good rational (moral) ones?

Expand full comment
Pyle's avatar

Just curious if Phil's children are rabid Duck fans as well? Asking this because if Phil dies will U of O still be supported by his children as they currently are.

Expand full comment
John Canzano's avatar

I believe he's made plans to continue his support.

Expand full comment
Kevin's avatar

If it wasn't in writing I wouldn't believe it. Phil Knight has spent his life managing scattered brain creatives and prima donnas, he shown no interest in the past why now. His team will be competing against guys that are endorse Nike's shoes.

What's the offer? Who is Alan Smolinisky? More importantly who are his lieutenants? What's up with the trust his sister and Burt kolde don't seem to like this.

California is great but so is diversity and oregon was its own entity. I would prefer Portland to keep it's character and not be part of the California ecosystem but Portland has grown and is arguably become larger than detroit. Portland has become too big for the blazers to leave. If the world wasn't so screwed up another team would likely be in the process of moving here.

Expand full comment
Barbara Cameron's avatar

Blazers true blue fans don’t deserve rumors. Show us the photo of Mr. Knight signing on the dotted line. Otherwise write about something more interesting .

Expand full comment
Brad Weekly's avatar

Thanks for the in depth update, JC. Life is littered with wins and losses, joy and sorrow. If the Trail Blazers are sold to anyone but Knight, the sorrow ledger will grow exponentially heavier.

Expand full comment
Jim Stewart's avatar

Phil is the best possible scenario for Portland NBA basketball.

Expand full comment
John Canzano's avatar

Agree.

Expand full comment
Craig Gavin's avatar

Love it!… Perry Mason does sports 😎👏👏

Expand full comment