The Portland Trail Blazers, an NBA franchise, recently underwent significant organizational changes under new owner Tom Dundon, resulting in layoffs primarily affecting the business operations.
What happened
In April 2026, the Portland Trail Blazers dismissed approximately 70 employees from the business side of the organization. This restructuring occurred in April 2026, the second month of Dallas billionaire Tom Dundon's ownership. The layoffs affected various levels, including a senior vice president and long-time in-house beat reporter Casey Holdahl.
How many employees affected
Approximately 70 employees were affected by the layoffs, representing about 20% of the Blazers' business office staff.
Why layoffs happened
Owner Tom Dundon stated the decision was driven by a focus on efficiency and accountability. He noted the Blazers' business operations had "twice as many people" as his NHL franchise, believing "less layers gives people more accountability." Dundon concluded the organization "just had too many people" and sought to ensure operations were efficient. He clarified these changes were "mostly on the business side," separate from basketball decisions.
Company background
The Portland Trail Blazers are a professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon, competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Dallas billionaire Tom Dundon assumed ownership of the team in March 2026.
Industry impact
The layoffs reflect a trend of new ownership groups implementing operational changes to optimize efficiency and reduce costs. Dundon's cost-cutting measures have drawn national scrutiny. The restructuring also occurred while the team negotiated for $600 million in public funding for Moda Center renovations.
What's next
The Trail Blazers organization is focused on supporting affected employees and positioning the team for long-term success under the new ownership. The team continues to navigate negotiations for public funding for arena improvements, with the recent layoffs adding to the scrutiny surrounding Dundon's management.