The Unattainable NBA Team: Phil Knight's Quest to Buy the Trail Blazers.

Phil Knight and entrepreneur Alan Smolinisky continue to pursue buying the Portland Trail Blazers from Jody Allen, who has resisted all overtures and has not even spoken directly with Knight. Allen has said it could take up to 20 years to resolve her brother’s estate. The Blazers must be sold, but they are not for sale. Knight's motivation stems from a desire to keep the team in Portland, and the longer Allen drags out the process, the more likely someone who does not share that ambition gets involved in the bidding process.