With the Portland Trail Blazers officially up for sale, speculation is swirling around a handful of ultra-wealthy individuals who could take the reins of one of the NBA’s most storied franchises.
The team, currently valued at $3.5 billion by Forbes, is being sold by the estate of Paul Allen, the late Microsoft co-founder who purchased the Blazers in 1988 for just $70 million.
Among the rumored bidders are four names that could reshape the future of basketball in the Pacific Northwest: Phil Knight, Larry Ellison, Jeff Bezos, and MacKenzie Scott.
The Nike co-founder and Oregon native was once considered the frontrunner to buy the Blazers. In 2022, Knight teamed up with Dodgers co-owner Alan Smolinisky to offer over $2 billion for the franchise, but was rebuffed by Jody Allen, Paul Allen’s sister and trustee of the estate.
Now, at 87 years old, Knight has officially withdrawn from the race.
“Five years ago, when I was a younger man, I had a great interest… However, at my current age, I can confirm that I no longer have interest,” Knight said in a statement.
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, worth an estimated $202 billion, has tried to buy an NBA team three times. including the Warriors, Pelicans, and Grizzlies, but has never succeeded. At 80 years old, Ellison remains a viable candidate, and Portland could be his breakthrough moment.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has long been linked to sports ownership, including failed bids for the Washington Commanders and rumored interest in the Boston Celtics. With a net worth north of $220 billion, Bezos could easily afford the Blazers—but his Seattle roots raise questions about potential relocation.
Some insiders believe Bezos may be more interested in bringing back the Seattle SuperSonics via expansion. Still, buying the Blazers could be a strategic move to gain favor with the Allen estate, which also owns the Seattle Seahawks.
MacKenzie Scott, Bezos’ ex-wife and a renowned philanthropist, is perhaps the most intriguing name on the list. With a net worth of $28.8 billion, she has the financial clout to make a bid, and has reportedly shown interest in the past.
Scott’s foundation, Yield Giving, has donated millions to nonprofits in Oregon and Southwest Washington, giving her a quiet but meaningful connection to the region. If she were to buy the Blazers, she’d become the first woman to own an NBA franchise outright, a move that would align with Portland’s progressive identity.
The sale is expected to stretch into the 2025–26 NBA season, with a final deal likely not closing until fall 2026.
