Nike founder Phil Knight and Dodgers co-owner Alan Smolinisky have made a $2 billion-plus written offer to purchase the Blazers, sources told ESPN.
Knight and Smolinisky have been engaged in discussions with the Paul G. Allen Trust, which is overseeing the franchise, and the plan is for those talks to continue, sources said.
Knight’s deep ties to the region — with Nike and his support of his alma mater, the University of Oregon — reflect the prospective ownership group’s desire to keep the team in Portland for the long term, sources said.
Nike founder Phil Knight and Dodgers co-owner Alan Smolinisky have made a $2 billion-plus written offer to purchase the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Discussions are ongoing with the Paul Allen trust that’s overseeing ownership of team. Story soon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 2, 2022
ESPN story on Nike founder Phil Knight and Dodgers part-owner Alan Smolinisky engaged in serious talks to purchase the Portland Trail Blazers for more than $2 billion: https://t.co/YM3DaSkCrB
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 2, 2022