The Portland Trail Blazers' new owner and his tight-fisted ways

Tom Dundon just paid over $4 billion for an NBA team, yet he’s acting like the franchise runs on loose change. Since taking over the Portland Trail Blazers, he’s been spotted pocketing pennies—a habit that’s now shaping how he runs the organization. Instead of focusing on the playoffs—where the team hasn’t been in five years—the conversation keeps circling back to his cost-cutting moves. Fans expected excitement when the Blazers made the postseason, but instead, they’re left counting every dollar saved. Traveling parties shrink, staff get left behind, and playoff perks vanish. Even small traditions, like giving out free team shirts, are getting the ax. The owner’s team says it’s not about money, but when other NBA squads hand out swag without blinking, questions pile up.

Dundon isn’t the first rich owner to squeeze pennies, but his approach feels different. Under the old regime, spending was wild—like throwing cash at every problem. Now, it’s the opposite: nickel-and-diming even when the team is chasing its first playoff run in years. Scouts get cut, photographers stay home, and coaches get lowballed. Is this the right way to build a winner? The bigger issue? A basketball team isn’t just a spreadsheet. Cutting corners in one area affects everything else—from the locker room to fan experience. Dundon wants the Blazers to be a model franchise, but how can they lead when they’re already cutting what matters most?

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