Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Alan Smolinisky and Nike founder Phil Knight have reportedly made an offer to buy the Portland Trail Blazers for $2 billion. But despite the two’s interest in the team, the ownership group of the Blazers says that the team is not up for sale.
When former Blazers owner Paul Allen died in 2018, the team was controlled by a trust headed by his sister Jody (Paul originally bought the Blazers for $70 million in 1988. The trust also owns the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL. There have been reports that the trust was planning to sell both franchises.
Other potential buyers were said to have tested the waters in bidding to purchase the Blazers. Smolinky and Knight will continue to try buying the franchise despite the current ownership group insisting that the Blazers aren’t for sale right now.
Knight’s interest in the team is aimed to target the group’s wish to keep the Blazers in Portland in the future. The Nike founder has roots in Oregon – the headquarters of Nike are located in Beaverton, a suburb outside of Portland. In 2016, Knight stepped down as CEO and chairman of the company after more than 50 years.