Trail Blazers' Partnership With Scope Manufacturer Comes To An End

The Trail Blazers and scope manufacturer Leupold & Stevens have "ended their partnership," after a "coalition of activists staged protests to put pressure" on the team to cut ties with the Oregon-based company, according to Jamie Goldberg of the Portland OREGONIAN. However, Trail Blazers President & CEO Chris McGowan said that the protests "were not the main reason for the partnership coming to an end." Portland Democratic Socialists of America, Lutherans for Justice in the Holy Land, Portland's Resistance and Jewish Voice For Peace "staged protests last year," and the groups "took issue with Leupold's work with the Israeli Army." McGowan said, "They were a great partner when they were a sponsor, but for various reasons, some unrelated to what you're referencing, they've decided to go in a different direction." Leupold & Stevens had "sponsored a regular segment" at Trail Blazers home games called "Hometown Heroes, which honored local military veterans" (Portland OREGONIAN, 10/1).