1. Blazer Woes Melissa Millsap Rob Walker

2. Background Recently Allen has been asking Portland and Oregon officials for assistance in the financing of the Blazers. Portland Mayor Tom Potter has so far rebuffed the requests. Many Portland fans have been blaming Allen for the serious deterioration of the team's record, quality of play and image in the community since 1996.

3. Paul Allen  7 th richest person in the world  Net Worth: $21 billion  Co-founder of Microsoft  Owner of Trail Blazers & Seattle Seahawks

4. Financial History  Allen's organization projects the Blazers will lose $100 million over the next three years.  Allen used his own money and $155 million from the lenders group to finance the Rose Garden.  Ticket sales totaled $24.8 million last season, down by one-third from five years earlier.

5. Jail Blazers? 2006- Telfair suspended for gun violation 2004- Qyntel Woods pled guilty to animal abuse-dog fights 2003- Stoudamire marijuana Rasheed Wallace, Bonzi Wells

6. Blazer wins

7. Future of the Blazers Blazers have a 30-year site agreement with the city. Trail Blazer Inc. could file bankruptcy, possibly making the contract void. Paul Allen considering selling the blazers to a unknown third party.

8. Questions Should Paul Allen, a billionaire, be asking Portland taxpayers for money? Do we want the Trail Blazers to stay in Portland?