This was an emotional video for us to make. We shared this tribute to Paul Allen in October 2018, just days after his passing, to remember the man who had owned the Blazers for three decades and meant so much to the Pacific Northwest. The video included a photo of Allen with Damian Lillard, and people commented on that image. Looking back, that moment with Paul and Dame feels like a fitting way to remember his love for this team.
Remembering Paul Allen and his legacy in Portland
Historical update (November 2026): Paul Allen died on October 15, 2018, at age 65 from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Just three days later, the Blazers opened their season against the Los Angeles Lakers. It was a difficult and emotional moment for the organization, and our original video remains here as a tribute.
Allen purchased the Trail Blazers in 1988 and owned the team for 30 years. During his ownership, Portland reached the NBA Finals twice—in 1990 and 1992—and remained a fixture of the city’s sports identity. He also played a major role in the development of the Rose Quarter and the arena originally known as the Rose Garden, now the Moda Center.
Of course, there was more to Paul Allen than the Blazers. He co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates, owned the Seattle Seahawks, and supported scientific research, conservation, education, music and the arts. He invested in institutions and causes throughout the Pacific Northwest, including programs benefiting young people in Portland.
No team owner is beyond criticism, and there were difficult stretches in Allen’s time with Portland. But his passion for the Blazers and his role in the region’s history are undeniable. It’s worth remembering that the franchise was more than an investment to him: he was a basketball fan.
The Blazers’ official announcement of his passing includes statements from his family and organizations, while the team’s remembrance captures what Allen meant to people around the franchise. You can also revisit our original look ahead to the 2018–19 opening night, which arrived at such a poignant time.