Blazers’ decision not to provide fans with T-shirts raises financial inquiries
In Game 1 on Sunday in San Antonio, the Portland Trail Blazers were met by fans dressed in Spurs apparel, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
However, when the Spurs face Portland later this week, they will not find fan T-shirts hanging on the backs of seats. Trail Blazers president Dewayne Hankins announced that fans will not receive T-shirts—a common gesture from team ownership to supporters throughout the league—for Game 3 on Friday or Game 4 on Sunday against the Spurs at the Moda Center.
This decision regarding T-shirts is part of a series of actions that have garnered attention since Tom Dundon, a Texas billionaire and owner of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, officially acquired the Blazers for $4.25 billion.
Sheel Tyle, co-owner of the Blazers, shared on X that “we are doing something else,” but the team has not provided any additional details on the subject.
Additionally, the Blazers will not be sending two-way players—those under NBA and G-League contracts—to away playoff games. Players Caleb Love, Chris Youngblood, and Jayson Kent are not eligible to participate in the postseason, yet teams usually permit them to travel. Love appeared in 49 games, averaging 20 minutes, 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
In contrast, two-way players from the other seven playoff teams did travel to their games.
This cost-reduction strategy also applies off the court. As reported by Sports Illustrated, the Blazers are tightening their grip on additional hotel expenses. SI noted last week that Blazers staff members were observed in a hotel lobby after being instructed to check out of their rooms to avoid incurring late checkout fees.
The Trail Blazers have been led by former Spurs player Tiago Splitter since Chauncey Billups’ arrest in October 2025, which is part of extensive investigations into illegal sports betting and rigged poker games linked to organized crime. Billups has been on unpaid administrative leave since that time.
Billups had signed a new contract in April 2025 that paid him $7 million for the previous season. It remains uncertain whether a new head coach will be appointed or if the Blazers will retain Splitter.
Despite the challenges posed by Billups’ arrest early in the season and the transition to a new owner before the season concluded, the Blazers have performed better than many anticipated. Damian Lillard is expected to return next season, supported by a promising group of young players, including Scoot Henderson, Deni Avdija, Donovan Clingan, Toumani Camara, and Shaedon Sharpe.
