Serious buyers hang and wait

By Dwight Jaynes

The Portland Tribune, May 23, 2006, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Have you ever been out driving on a Sunday afternoon, through a nice neighborhood, and seen an open-house sign in front of a very attractive home? Ever decided you really liked that house so much that you parked the car, went in and took a tour? Of course you have.

And then, have you ever gone in and been disappointed in what you found? You know, perhaps there was a leak in the basement or there was dry rot? Or worse yet, found the house to be perfect, only to learn it was way more expensive than what you could afford? Of course you have.

Well, that’s why you haven’t read too much in this space about prospective buyers for the Portland Trail Blazers. We already know there are several people interested in buying the team Ñ NBA Commissioner David Stern told us that weeks ago.

But until there is a fixed price for the Blazers and their venue, the Rose Garden, and until prospective buyers can see the books Ñ check for dry rot, so to speak Ñ how can you take any prospective buyers seriously?

No offense to anyone involved, but there is only one reason for a potential buyer to come forward at this point. And that would be the situation with the Rob Kremer-Terry Porter group Ñ they’re still searching for more money.

My experience in sports is that you never know who the true buyers are until they actually purchase the team. Nobody in Portland, for example, had a clue Paul Allen was buying the Blazers from Larry Weinberg until he sat down at a news conference with a signed deal. It was a total shock.

1 | 2 Next Page >>

Facebook	Digg	Del.icio.us
Newsvine	Stumbleupon	Reddit