Billionaire Blazers Owner Slammed Over Controversial Cost-Cutting Decisions

Portland Trail Blazers fans should be having the time of their lives at the moment, as the team is back in the postseason for the first time in five seasons.

Yet, it’s only been dismay, as each new day brings up another story of how dire their future might be under the leadership of new team owner Tom Dundon.

The team sold for $4 billion only a few weeks ago, and all the excitement surrounding the team has faded as Dundon has made it extremely clear, through his first few weeks as Blazers owner, that he values maximizing his profits above all else.

While other teams are celebrating the opening round of the playoffs with free T-shirts for the fans to wear, the Blazers, wanting to save costs, won’t be giving anything away when they return to Portland.

It’s not only the fans that are feeling the crunch of the new billionaire Blazers owner, but the team staff and players as well.

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The Trail Blazers are the only team in the NBA playoffs that didn’t send their two-way players along with the rest of the team, once again in an effort to maximize profits.

Even the staff who were permitted to travel with the team are struggling, as Dundon allegedly hasn’t approved late checkouts at the hotel. Meaning that staff members have been forced to wait around in the lobby with their luggage for hours.

Not only Blazers fans but fans across the NBA and beyond have lashed out at the egregious penny-pinching by the new owner, who has a net worth of over $2 billion.

Portland will look to bring home a tied series with a win on Tuesday night against the San Antonio Spurs. Hopefully, the staff doesn’t have to wait in the hotel lounge too long.

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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 5:24 PM.