Paul Allen passed away yesterday afternoon at the age of 65. The owner of the Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Sounders and several other ventures died following a battle with lymphoma. Allen owned the Portland Trail Blazers for the last thirty years, seeing the team reach the NBA Finals twice and had nineteen playoff appearances. His sports teams won titles, his ventures yielded beneficial scientific results and his love of the arts will benefit generations to come. Paul Allen loved his basketball team, and by some accounts it was his first and true love.
The questions started coming almost immediately about the future of the franchise. It has been widely rumored that Paul Allen's sister Jody, would sell off his sports franchises upon taking control of his companies. That part is still way up in the air. This afternoon, both the Blazers and Seahawks held press availabilities with local media to address some questions, remember their boss and let fans know that the seasons will still go on. Here in Portland, President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey and the CEO of Vulcan Sports and Entertainment Chris McGowan took questions from the press. Hear the press conference below.
The Blazers start the season Thursday night against the Lakers and LeBron James. The Blazers also come into opening night having won the last seventeen opening night games, and they've beaten the Lakers in fifteen straight regular season games. Thursday's game holds several big storylines however the passing of Paul Allen will overshadow them all. The team is expected to announce several ways they will honor Paul, but those details haven't been released yet.
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