In a statement, president Dewayne Hankins described the Blazers as “a central part of Oregon’s economy and identity.”
“But,” he wrote, “Moda Center is bigger than basketball — it’s Oregon’s busiest entertainment venue and one of the state’s most important gathering places.
“Since early 2023, we’ve been in meaningful conversations with the City and our public partners about a long-term, market-rate lease extension for the Blazers that includes an investment to extend the useful life of Moda Center. The 2026 legislative session is an opportunity to move from conversation to action, and I’m encouraged to be working alongside leaders who see this as an investment in our economic prosperity and culture.”