Report: Phil Knight in talks to purchase Trail Blazers

Nike co-founder Phil Knight is looking to get into the NBA. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Nike co-founder Phil Knight in talks to purchase Trail Blazers

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 6/2/22

Nike co-founder Phil Knight may soon be an NBA owner, according to a new report.

Knight, along with Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Alan Smolinisky, is in talks to purchase the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

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

Knight would certainly profile as a high-profile NBA owner. The 84-year-old co-founded the company that would later become Nike in 1964, which has since provided him exceptional wealth. He has spent that money in the sports world before, as he has been a major benefactor to his alma mater Oregon.

The Blazers have been owned by a trust in the name of former owner Paul Allen since Allen’s death in 2018. Speculation about the franchise’s future has lingered since, but this would put an end to a great deal of the uncertainty.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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