The Portland Trail Blazers launch a harsh attack against the city: "It is one of the worst for investing and attracting players"
The franchise denounces an unprecedented tax pressure, a "stagnant" business climate, and warns that the new requirements of the City Council
The Portland Trail Blazers have escalated their confrontation with city authorities. In a new meeting held this Thursday, the franchise not only reiterated the possibility of taking legal action but also launched a harsh criticism against the economic and political environment of Portland, stating that it has become an increasingly unattractive place to invest and develop a sports project.
The team's president, Dewayne Hankins, stated to the municipal council that the Trail Blazers bear a higher tax burden than any other NBA franchise and denounced that the conditions set by the city for a new agreement imply a significant increase in operating costs.
As he explained, the document presented by the City Council includes more than twenty substantial differences compared to the legislation approved by the state of Oregon last March, all resulting in compelling the organization to incur higher economic expenses.
Additionally, Hankins noted that the franchise has already made a significant financial effort over the past three decades, investing approximately $1 billion in the construction, maintenance, and modernization of the arena.
Yet, the executive was even more forceful in describing Portland's current situation.
"Portland's current stagnant business climate, high income taxes, and divisive political environment make it a challenging city to invest in," stated Hankins.
The President of the Blazers added that this context not only impacts the team's finances but also its competitive sports performance.
"It makes it harder to sell tickets, secure corporate sponsors, and recruit players."
These statements reflect the growing tension between the franchise and local authorities in the midst of negotiations about the team and arena's future. Beyond the threat of litigation, the Trail Blazers have wanted to highlight what they perceive as a deterioration of Portland's economic environment, making it clear that the high tax burdens and new municipal demands jeopardize the viability of continuing to invest at the same level in the city.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los Portland Trail Blazers lanzan un duro ataque contra la ciudad: "Es una de las peores para invertir y atraer jugadores"
