Trail Blazers icon Damian Lillard has set his sights on a bold future ambition: returning to his roots in Portland, not as a player, but as a co-owner of the cherished franchise, marking the pinnacle of Lillard’s path to Blazers ownership.
Damian Lillard’s Path to Blazers Ownership
In a recent interview with Landon Buford, Dame expressed his fervent desire to secure a slice of ownership in the Blazers organization, showcasing his unwavering loyalty to the team where he spent his formative years.
The narrative is rich with history; Dame’s legacy in Rip City is etched in stone. For 11 seasons, he dazzled fans with his on-court prowess, solidifying his status as one of the all-time greats in franchise history. From electrifying performances to deep playoff runs, Lillard became synonymous with the Blazers, culminating in a memorable journey to the Western Conference Finals in 2018-19.
However, the plot thickened in the offseason when both Lillard and the Blazers decided to part ways. In a seismic move, he was shipped off to the Milwaukee Bucks in a blockbuster trade, closing the chapter on an illustrious stint in Portland. Despite the departure, Lillard left an indelible mark as the team’s leading scorer and three-point maestro.
Now, with the Blazers under the ownership of Jody Allen, Lillard eyes a different role within the organization. Despite past resistance to selling the team, the allure of ownership remains tantalizing. The Blazers’ valuation, clocking in at a staggering $3.08 billion according to Forbes, only adds fuel to the fire of Dame’s ambition.
Financially, Lillard is on solid ground. With a projected career earnings of $441 million by the end of his current contract, he stands as a formidable figure both on and off the court. His ventures outside of basketball, including music and business partnerships, underscore his entrepreneurial spirit and multifaceted talents.
As the saying goes, money talks. And for Lillard, the prospect of ownership represents the culmination of a lifelong dream. With his star power and financial clout, it’s not a matter of if, but when, he will secure his place among the Blazers’ ownership ranks.
In the ever-evolving saga of sports ownership, Damian Lillard’s quest for a piece of the Blazers pie adds a compelling twist. It’s a narrative fueled by passion, ambition, and a deep-rooted connection to the game. And as the story unfolds, all eyes will be on Dame as he continues to make waves both on and off the hardwood.
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