Steve Patterson is making a move this month from an executive post with the Houston Texans to president of the Portland Trail Blazers. In doing so, he joins a team in disarray both on and off the court.
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Patterson is not a newcomer to the NBA. He joined the Houston Rockets in 1984 as marketing director and was named general manager in 1989. He later became president of Arena Operating Co., which managed the team's Compaq Center home. He also has deep NBA bloodlines. His father was an original owner of the Milwaukee Bucks and also was president of the Rockets, spending a combined 30 years in the NBA.
Originally from Wisconsin, Patterson, 45, received a marketing degree from the University of Texas in 1980 and a law degree from Texas in 1984. He spent four years with minor league hockey's Houston Aeros. With the Texans, most recently, he worked as senior vice president and chief development officer.
Now, Patterson is charged with retooling the business affairs of the Blazers while reshaping the team's on-court image. Patterson spoke with staff writer John Lombardo last week about his plans with the Blazers.
SBJ: You spent the last three years building the Houston Texans into one of the most profitable NFL teams. Why the move to Portland to run one of the NBA's most troubled teams?
Patterson: I like a challenge. When I started with the Rockets, we thought we could build a championship team and we did. Then people said hockey couldn't make it in Houston and we made it work with the Aeros. Then people said we'd never get the Texans and we brought the NFL back. Then they said we'd never get the stadium built on time and on budget and we did. We also got one of the biggest naming-rights deals on the planet and we have about $800 million in contractually obligated income. Put it all together and the team is in great shape. So now it's time for another challenge.
SBJ: The Blazers have a bloated payroll, a tarnished image and may lose up to $100 million this season. How do you begin to address those issues?
Patterson: There are three key things that you need for a successful franchise. One is the owner, and we've got that in Paul Allen. You also need a great market and you've got that in Portland. The Blazers are the only game in town. Then you've got to have a great building, and we've got that in the Rose Garden. So really, there is a lot to work with.
SBJ: But what about rehabilitating the team's tarnished image?
Patterson: That's where we need to do some work. We need a team that has character, plays hard and plays smart.
SBJ: How are you planning to reverse the team's declining state of business affairs?
Patterson: This is a company that needs substantial discipline on player costs. And we have to get other costs in line and raise team revenue. There is a lot of opportunity in this market, and we'll review all the traditional revenue areas. This is a team with great history and a great fan base, and once we get a team with the right people, we'll be successful.
SBJ: What's your take on the state of the NBA these days? And how much different will it be working in the NBA compared with the NFL?
Patterson: I do think that the league is in fine shape despite everyone saying that the sky is falling with [TV] viewership and all. ... The overall power of the NFL is dramatically different. The overall presence of the NFL is like all of the other three leagues combined. But in a place like Portland, where the Blazers are the only major league team in town, there is tremendous market presence for the NBA.
