Blazers submit bid to host 2017 or 2018 ASG

[SurferGirl]

The Portland Trail Blazers announced today that they have submitted a bit to the NBA to host the all-star game in either 2017 or 2018. 

Portland has not hosted an all-star game in its 44 seasons as a franchise. According to some tweets, as many as eight other teams have also submitted bids. Among them is Charlotte, home of the Hornets, who also have not hosted All-Star Weekend since they began this incarnation of their franchise in 2004. As the original Hornets, that city hosted in 1991. The Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference, 116-114.

Last week, the Portland Timbers hosted the MLS all-star game to rousing reviews.

“For our fan base, it’s long overdue, particularly in one of the few cities that has yet to actually host an NBA All-Star game,” said Rose Quarter General Manager Chris Oxley told CSNNW. “This, quite frankly, could be the single-most significant sporting event or event in general that the city has every had the ability to host. I think that’s very meaningful in terms of Portland taking it to the next level as a host of future major events.”

“The city is fully capable of hosting an All-Star game," Trail Blazers President and CEO Chris McGowan said. "The region is fully capable and we, obviously, have an arena and a campus and the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum and a Convention Center and eventually a convention center hotel all in very close proximity to each other.”

“The only hurdle would be, I’d say, competition amongst other teams that are bidding for this,” said McGowan. “We’ve heard there are anywhere from six to 10 other franchises bidding. Getting the NBA open-minded to coming to Portland — they’ve been on record saying that they would be willing to look at an All-Star Weekend in Portland.”

Last season's All-Star Weekend was held at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The 2015 event will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, while the 2016 event is set for the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

- JBH

[Cam]

Fingers crossed!

I read a few months ago that the main issue in recent years was the number of hotels in the area to accommodate people.

From watching the successful MLS All-Star game on television and hearing about the social events around town, I think Portland should be strongly considered.

[Yeseeka]

I was forwarded an article that said Portland and Charlotte are the only two cities to send in bids that anyone knows of and that the deadline is today for other teams to submit them. I think the MLS all-star game proves we can host all star weekend. Portland would be a great place to host the game.

Cam, I think Brian could tell you more about the hotel situation. I know he feels that lack of hotel space is really a made up issue and excuse for the league not to have used Portland in the past.

[Kasey]

i can tell you guys that there is no lack of hotel space in Portland, unless you count those within a few blocks from the Rose Quarter. There are plenty enough if you consider downtown, as well as north and east. Portland also has the added benefit of having an excellent transit system, including MAX, that make getting to and from the Rose Quarter easy, not to mention pretty quick. the lack of hotel space is a misnomer; an excuse by Sterns regime of the NBA to deny Portland (and perhaps some other cities) the awarding of an all-star game. It's more than time the city is awarded the game.

[DiamondThief]

Has anyone heard which other teams (aside from Charlotte) have submitted bids?

[mommykimmi2]

That would totally be cool if we could host all star weekend

[DiamondThief]

It would be great. Long overdue!

Glad to have you here Kimmi!