Trail Blazers layoff 70 employees in another cheap move by new owner
Tom Dundon keeps cutting costs at every opportunity.
PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 02: Tom Dundon, Portland Trail Blazers owner, speaks during a press conference at Moda Center on April 02, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images Tom Dundon purchased the Portland Trail Blazers from the estate of Paul Allen in March of 2026.
Dundon has been a successful owner in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes, but his cost-cutting methods have been shocking since taking control of a beloved NBA team. Dundon low-balled head coach Tiago Splitter after he guided the team to the playoffs for the first time in five years, and has reportedly been offering perspective head coaches a starting salary around $1 million, far below NBA norms. He wouldn’t let players on two-way contracts travel for the playoffs.
Now, Dundon is doing mass layoffs on the business side for the Trail Blazers that will reportedly cut about 70 jobs. Sean Highkin covers the Trail Blazers as well as anyone at his newsletter, The Rose Garden Report . Highkin previously broke the news of two-way players being unable to travel for the postseason , and now he’s reported the layoffs on the business side.
Was told around 70 people were let go today in the Blazers' layoffs on the business side. Know some of the names but out of respect to them I'll let them announce it when and how they will. — Sean Highkin (@highkin) May 19, 2026 Layoffs in pro sports don’t happen all that often.