PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) \u2014 Portland Mayor Keith Wilson told KATU that negotiations with the Trail Blazers are moving forward, though he acknowledged the process is slower than he would like and warned there are no guarantees the team will remain in Portland.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey’re moving forward, slower than we would like, but I think the key point is they’re moving forward, and that’s progress, and that’s good,\u201d Wilson told KATU in an exclusive interview at Moda Center.<\/p>\n
Wilson said city and team representatives are actively discussing several major issues, including the city\u2019s request for rent, the team\u2019s current obligation to maintain Moda Center at a first-class standard, Portland livability concerns, and labor provisions. The city wants union labor used on the arena project and arena workers to have the right to unionize.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThey’re moving forward, slower than we would like, but I think the key point is they’re moving forward, and that’s progress, and that’s good,\u201d Wilson told KATU in an exclusive interview at Moda Center. (KATU)<\/p>\n
The team and city are currently meeting twice a week. Wilson said the sides should meet every day.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve got a lot to talk about, and that’s what we’re doing right now,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cThe good news is that we’re talking versus just going to our respective corners and saying, ‘this is it.’ Those days are over, so the brinkmanship is over, but we’re really actively in discussions right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pace of those talks has raised questions among fans about whether owner Tom Dundon intends to keep the franchise in Portland long term.<\/p>\n
Wilson said Dundon sees the Trail Blazers as a significant investment and is looking for certainty that the team can succeed in Portland.<\/p>\n
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Wilson said city and team representatives are actively discussing several major issues, including the city\u2019s request for rent, the team\u2019s obligation to maintain Moda Center at a first-class standard, Portland livability concerns, and labor provisions. The city wants union labor used on the arena project and arena workers to have the right to unionize. (KATU)<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s interested in keeping the team here, but we have to be a viable investment for him,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cBut isn’t that something every employer in Portland is asking?\u201d<\/p>\n
Still, the mayor stopped short of saying a deal, or the team\u2019s future in Portland, is assured.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’re in an active negotiation, and I don’t want to mislead anybody,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cI’m not saying that this is a foregone conclusion. It’s fragile. This relationship is fragile. Our ability to keep the Blazers here is fragile.\u201d<\/p>\n