I came across this interesting article on Paul Allen and the current NBA negotiations: Blazers’ Allen sets fire to labor talks I'm just curious as to what people think of this. Some Seattle area folks who haven't forgiven the NBA for taking away the Sonics might be pleased that Allen may cause the cancellation of the entire NBA season, some Sounders fans may be pleased that their owner appears to be looking to sell his Portland-based team.... What level of involvement does this guy have with the Sounders? Does he ever attend their games, like the US Open Cup final or Kasey Keller's final game? If he stops throwing money at the Blazers, could that mean more money for the Seahawks or Sounders? Allen's recent 180 is interesting, is there any chance that seeing the 64k+ coming to cheer a team with the payroll of a mediocre Blazers bench player had an effect on him? Sure MLS is not exactly the NBA but who wants to pay Damon Stoudamire $80 million and win nothing when they can pay Mauro Rosales $40 thousand and win trophies?
Minority owner who also rents Qwest/CL to the Sounders. From what I can tell that's pretty much his entire involvement. The Sounders are an investment and nothing more. And I don't think what Allen does with the Blazers will have any effect on the Sounders.
Not surprising. Back when the whole Sonics kerfuffle was going on, Allen raised a stink about the Rose Garden and there was even speculation that he was looking to do a franchise swap. As far it means for the Sounders... Absolutely nothing unless Allen buys a larger share of the Sounders. Allen's share of the franchise is basically rent for the CLink and access to First and Goal.
Part of what could be going on here is that through his involvement with the Sounders and MLS, Allen can see the difference that controlling labor costs in a pro sports league can make. both MLS and the NFL have strong controls on spend by teams (stronger in MLS), and the NBA has close to no controls, at the same time they're experiencing a decline in attendance in many markets, and a concentration of talent on a few teams. That article is reading this as Allen preparing to get out, but it could also be a case of Allen trying to do what he thinks is most likely to save the NBA from it's own excesses.
You can hardly blame Allen that the players are delusional enough to force the season to a cancellation... But of course any owner wants to protect the value in their franchise. Apparently he's willing to draw a hard line... Another issue here-- A large portion of the money used to renovate Jeld Wen came by borrowing against the city spectator fund, which is funded almost in entirety by the Rose Garden revenue from Blazers games. If they are sold and moved, there will be no money to pay back the bond holders, and then you will see a shit-storm... Either by the investors, or by the public when the city has to divert public revenue to pay them down. This was a huge issue when they were trying to get funding.... Apparently for good reason.