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!

John Canzano's avatar

Yes. Fixed it. Thank you.

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!

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!

MJK0703's avatar

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

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.

David M. Scott's avatar

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

David M. Scott's avatar

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

Ken Goe's avatar

Well-reasoned and articulated. Thanks, JC!

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.

John Canzano's avatar

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

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!

John Canzano's avatar

That means a lot to me. Thank you!

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.....

Julie Pratt's avatar

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

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.

John Canzano's avatar

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

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.

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 .

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.

Jim Stewart's avatar

Phil is the best possible scenario for Portland NBA basketball.

Craig Gavin's avatar

Love it!… Perry Mason does sports 😎👏👏