KIRO NEWSRADIO OPINION

‘Portland might have done us a favor’: Jake and Spike debate future of Seattle NBA team

May 16, 2025, 5:01 AM

Seattle NBA team...

Donovan Clingan #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers goes up for a shot past Markieff Morris (L) #88 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Moda Center on April 13, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo: Soobum Im via Getty Images)

(Photo: Soobum Im via Getty Images)

The NBA may finally be getting serious about expanding to Seattle. Commissioner Adam Silver said he expects the topic to be brought up when league executives gather in Las Vegas.

Spike O’Neill, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, explained that steps are falling into place, but the hardest part is yet to be done.

“They’ve got the new labor agreements figured out. They got the new TV deal figured out. Now the numbers are in place. It’s convincing the 30 owners in the NBA that it’s time to cut the pie a little thinner, bring it to 32 shares, of all the different revenue streams,” he said. “And that the markets, where they’re talking about going into Vegas and Seattle, are a worthwhile investment that will be a beneficial, long-term growth for everybody involved.”

Spike also thinks bringing the executives to Las Vegas instead of Seattle was a smart move.

“If they held this owners meeting in Seattle, and these owners came to Seattle and saw the tents and graffiti and all the stuff. I love my town, don’t get me wrong. I’m on the Seattle’s coming back bandwagon, sure. I’m a true believer in this city, sure. But when you bring the owners to Vegas, well, Vegas is Vegas,” he said.

Spike: Trail Blazers being on the market helps possible Seattle NBA team

However, Jake Skorheim, co-host of “Jake and Spike,” is worried that another city without a team could steal the show.

To which Spike responded, “No, that’s what Portland’s for.”

“Portland’s for sale, you’re right,” Jake replied. “Portland might have done us a favor.”

Listen to the full conversation below.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

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‘Portland might have done us a favor’: Jake and Spike debate future of Seattle NBA team