Allen has been hands-on with the team since taking over for her brother after his deathNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Trail Blazers President & CEO Chris McGowan and President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey reiterated that Chair Jody Allen "remains committed" to the team and praised Allen for her "support of the franchise" after taking over control last year following the death of her brother, Paul Allen, according to Jamie Goldberg of the Portland OREGONIAN. Olshey said, "Jody has been engaged the entire time. We wouldn't be facing a $20 million luxury tax bill if she wasn't. Jody got a taste of it last year. She wants to win." While Olshey said that Paul Allen was "more involved in the day-to-day activities of the team, Olshey and McGowan said that they talk with Jody Allen often about the direction of the franchise." Olshey also said that he "expected Allen to be around more often at games this season." McGowan: "She's super involved. Obviously, very involved on all major decisions. So, for both me and Neil, she weighs in on all of that. On the business side, we do periodic reviews with her ... where we give her an overview on all aspects of our business. We do that three or four times a year. She gives us a lot of feedback on those. She definitely wants us to continue running the organization in a first-class manner" (Portland OREGONIAN, 10/1).
