Bill Oram
@billoram.bsky.social
Columnist at The Oregonian. Lucky enough to write about sports for the newspaper that made me love newspapers.
Respect to Dame for feeding @thepressbox.bsky.social’s “old guy’s still got it” content machine.
February 15, 2026 at 12:08 AM
Respect to Dame for feeding @thepressbox.bsky.social’s “old guy’s still got it” content machine.
Went to Salem today and spoke with Gov. Tina Kotek about the Blazers and a Moda Center renovation. On Tom Dundon:
"I don’t think he’s come into this with the idea that he wants to move the team. He wants a deal that makes this work for the team."
www.oregonlive.com/sports/2026/...
"I don’t think he’s come into this with the idea that he wants to move the team. He wants a deal that makes this work for the team."
www.oregonlive.com/sports/2026/...
Trail Blazers, Kotek pitch lawmakers on public funds for Moda Center remodel
Kotek said proposal puts state "in the ballpark" of what it will take to keep the Trail Blazers from moving.
www.oregonlive.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Went to Salem today and spoke with Gov. Tina Kotek about the Blazers and a Moda Center renovation. On Tom Dundon:
"I don’t think he’s come into this with the idea that he wants to move the team. He wants a deal that makes this work for the team."
www.oregonlive.com/sports/2026/...
"I don’t think he’s come into this with the idea that he wants to move the team. He wants a deal that makes this work for the team."
www.oregonlive.com/sports/2026/...
Malinin: Mall > Milan
At least that's what I got out of this @editorswindler.bsky.social story. (And alliteration.)
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
At least that's what I got out of this @editorswindler.bsky.social story. (And alliteration.)
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Olympic figure skating champion Ilia Malinin is rallying to save a Portland mall ice rink
The Quad God took to Instagram stories to show support for preserving the ice rink at Portland’s Lloyd Center mall.
www.oregonlive.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Malinin: Mall > Milan
At least that's what I got out of this @editorswindler.bsky.social story. (And alliteration.)
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
At least that's what I got out of this @editorswindler.bsky.social story. (And alliteration.)
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
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February 11, 2026 at 12:04 AM
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Concurrent with the Moda Center bill dropping in the Oregon Senate today, the Blazers launched a new website detailing the proposal and offering the first look at a few of the proposed upgrades: newmodacenter.com
Our New Moda Center
Support revitalizing Moda Center and the Rose Quarter
newmodacenter.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Concurrent with the Moda Center bill dropping in the Oregon Senate today, the Blazers launched a new website detailing the proposal and offering the first look at a few of the proposed upgrades: newmodacenter.com
Yes, as an Oregon taxpayer born and raised in this state, raising two children in this state, I am completely corrupted with no interest in the public interest. Busted.
He covers sports for a living, so his personal interest in the Blazers staying outweighs the public interest.
February 9, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Yes, as an Oregon taxpayer born and raised in this state, raising two children in this state, I am completely corrupted with no interest in the public interest. Busted.
Again, that is a perfectly valid perspective to have. If that were to be the opinion of state and local leaders, it would be an invitation for the team to leave — if not a two-handed shove out the door.
I think it might be tough to convince Portlanders of the need when it's still extremely functional. For the most part, I think Portlanders go to a Blazer to watch basketball, from their seat. I don't see the political will to spend millions on things people don't really care about when they go.
February 9, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Again, that is a perfectly valid perspective to have. If that were to be the opinion of state and local leaders, it would be an invitation for the team to leave — if not a two-handed shove out the door.
One of the problem this package faces from a public perception is the fact that Moda Center remains extremely functional. It's not a dilapidated shithole. But it is also well below industry standards.
Ingress, egress. Sightlines from anywhere other than your seat. Larger team/staging spaces. Gathering spaces. Improved luxury seating (you don't want to hear it, but the building needs to make money).
@billoram.bsky.social In all your conversations with leaders and the team and the league, has anyone outlined what renovations the arena needs?
Because I was there on Friday and it seemed like a damn good place to watch a NBA basketball game.
What are we so lacking?
Because I was there on Friday and it seemed like a damn good place to watch a NBA basketball game.
What are we so lacking?
February 9, 2026 at 5:34 PM
One of the problem this package faces from a public perception is the fact that Moda Center remains extremely functional. It's not a dilapidated shithole. But it is also well below industry standards.
Ingress, egress. Sightlines from anywhere other than your seat. Larger team/staging spaces. Gathering spaces. Improved luxury seating (you don't want to hear it, but the building needs to make money).
@billoram.bsky.social In all your conversations with leaders and the team and the league, has anyone outlined what renovations the arena needs?
Because I was there on Friday and it seemed like a damn good place to watch a NBA basketball game.
What are we so lacking?
Because I was there on Friday and it seemed like a damn good place to watch a NBA basketball game.
What are we so lacking?
February 9, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Ingress, egress. Sightlines from anywhere other than your seat. Larger team/staging spaces. Gathering spaces. Improved luxury seating (you don't want to hear it, but the building needs to make money).
Don’t look now, but the Portland State men tightened their grip on the top seed in the Big Sky with a 74-73 win at Sacramento State, which has been tough to beat at home.
February 8, 2026 at 6:26 AM
Don’t look now, but the Portland State men tightened their grip on the top seed in the Big Sky with a 74-73 win at Sacramento State, which has been tough to beat at home.
A ton of terrific info in this @freemanjoe.bsky.social deep dive on Tom Dundon. But against the backdrop of the Blazers push for arena funding, this felt especially insightful:
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
February 7, 2026 at 5:39 PM
A ton of terrific info in this @freemanjoe.bsky.social deep dive on Tom Dundon. But against the backdrop of the Blazers push for arena funding, this felt especially insightful:
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
Scoot Henderson's debut comes 2,462 minutes and 21 seconds into the Blazers season.
February 7, 2026 at 3:21 AM
Scoot Henderson's debut comes 2,462 minutes and 21 seconds into the Blazers season.
Blazers arena funding update: The team is asking Multnomah County to push ~$40 million in tax revenue from the Allen Estate's sale into Moda Center renovation, while county leaders are sticking to original $75 million commitment.
www.oregonlive.com/sports/2026/...
www.oregonlive.com/sports/2026/...
Kotek lobbies NBA commissioner to keep Trail Blazers in Portland as team and county at odds over arena funding
County leaders are reluctant to commit $40 million in unexpected tax revenue to Moda Center renovations, complicating the franchise's funding efforts as new ownership prepares to take control.
www.oregonlive.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Blazers arena funding update: The team is asking Multnomah County to push ~$40 million in tax revenue from the Allen Estate's sale into Moda Center renovation, while county leaders are sticking to original $75 million commitment.
www.oregonlive.com/sports/2026/...
www.oregonlive.com/sports/2026/...
I have more confidence in proactive policy and planning than I do in relying on broad statements like “the NBA won’t allow another Seattle.”
Maybe Portland should instead learn from Seattle.
Maybe Portland should instead learn from Seattle.
you think the NBA will allow another seattle?
February 6, 2026 at 12:54 AM
I have more confidence in proactive policy and planning than I do in relying on broad statements like “the NBA won’t allow another Seattle.”
Maybe Portland should instead learn from Seattle.
Maybe Portland should instead learn from Seattle.
February 5, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Chris Dudley, the former Blazers center and Republican candidate for governor, put out a statement suggesting everyone pump the brakes on Moda Center renovation plans. A couple thoughts...
February 5, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Chris Dudley, the former Blazers center and Republican candidate for governor, put out a statement suggesting everyone pump the brakes on Moda Center renovation plans. A couple thoughts...
Let me know how you’re enjoying that hill in 2032 when the Oak Ridge Boys are headlining Moda with a month-long residency.
MODA is more than fine.
Just our cup holders in for beer cans.
Just our cup holders in for beer cans.
February 4, 2026 at 4:52 AM
Let me know how you’re enjoying that hill in 2032 when the Oak Ridge Boys are headlining Moda with a month-long residency.
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Right when I was reading this , the Peacock announcers were talking about how old the Moda center is
February 4, 2026 at 4:24 AM
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The Trail Blazers' efforts to secure $600 million in public funding for arena renovations seen as essential to keeping the team in Portland have hit a snag.
New tonight as as the team faces a shrinking window at the Oregon Legislature:
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
New tonight as as the team faces a shrinking window at the Oregon Legislature:
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
Trail Blazers’ future in Portland less clear than ever as arena efforts meet resistance | Bill Oram
The team is trying to secure $600 million in funding from the city, state and Multnomah County before the end of the legislature's 35-day session.
www.oregonlive.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:10 AM
The Trail Blazers' efforts to secure $600 million in public funding for arena renovations seen as essential to keeping the team in Portland have hit a snag.
New tonight as as the team faces a shrinking window at the Oregon Legislature:
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
New tonight as as the team faces a shrinking window at the Oregon Legislature:
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
Since it feels like Portland will never get an NBA All-Star Game (anytime soon) maybe this is as close as we'll get: Dame and Devin Booker on the bench, Vince Carter, T-Mac and Carmelo Anthony on the NBC broadcast.
February 4, 2026 at 4:05 AM
Since it feels like Portland will never get an NBA All-Star Game (anytime soon) maybe this is as close as we'll get: Dame and Devin Booker on the bench, Vince Carter, T-Mac and Carmelo Anthony on the NBC broadcast.
The two teams for the celebrity game should just be divided into “People Promoting Other Things for ABC” and “Rich Guys Who Bought NBA Teams So They Could Do Things Like This.”
February 3, 2026 at 5:25 PM
The two teams for the celebrity game should just be divided into “People Promoting Other Things for ABC” and “Rich Guys Who Bought NBA Teams So They Could Do Things Like This.”
Nice to see the Portland State men get back on the winning side against Montana State in a battle for first in the Big Sky. Scrappy group Jase Coburn has.
February 1, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Nice to see the Portland State men get back on the winning side against Montana State in a battle for first in the Big Sky. Scrappy group Jase Coburn has.
Hall of Famer Marc Stein reports that the Blazers have expressed an interest in trading for Giannis. A longshot, perhaps, but here’s my column on the prospect of such a deal and how an aggressive incoming owner might influence things. www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
As the NBA waits on Giannis deal, Tom Dundon and the Trail Blazers are the wild card | Bill Oram
The Blazers control Milwaukee's draft picks for three years starting in 2028, making them key figures in any trade for the two-time MVP.
www.oregonlive.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Hall of Famer Marc Stein reports that the Blazers have expressed an interest in trading for Giannis. A longshot, perhaps, but here’s my column on the prospect of such a deal and how an aggressive incoming owner might influence things. www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
Six weeks from the start of the regular season, the Thorns still don’t have a coach, Sam Coffey is off in Manchester and now goalkeeper Bella Bixby has been lost for the season with a knee injury. Peculiar times.
January 31, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Six weeks from the start of the regular season, the Thorns still don’t have a coach, Sam Coffey is off in Manchester and now goalkeeper Bella Bixby has been lost for the season with a knee injury. Peculiar times.
Things at risk of slipping away from the Vikings. At risk of taking their first conference loss with second-place Montana State coming to town on Saturday. Been a good one in downtown Portland though. A genuinely fun environment.
How do you know it’s a big night in Big Sky hoops? Damian Lillard is sitting courtside.
Portland State/Montana throwing down at the best basketball venue in the city.
Portland State/Montana throwing down at the best basketball venue in the city.
January 30, 2026 at 4:28 AM
Things at risk of slipping away from the Vikings. At risk of taking their first conference loss with second-place Montana State coming to town on Saturday. Been a good one in downtown Portland though. A genuinely fun environment.