Tod Leiweke Chat Transcript: March 2, 2007
Mr. Leiweke also will become the CEO of a newly formed management company, Vulcan Sports & Entertainment ("VSE"). VSE will assume oversight responsibilities for all of Paul Allen's sports-related properties including the Trail Blazers, the Rose Garden Arena and Memorial Coliseum, upon the successful completion of Vulcan's negotiations with Portland Arena Management and all properties currently run by the Seattle Seahawks.
Mr. Leiweke chatted live with Trail Blazers fans on Friday, March 2. Check out the complete chat transcript below:
Gudmund (Colorado Springs): How did it feel to blow out the Bobcats on your first day?
Tod Leiweke: It's clear that a great job was done in the draft, putting this team together and it was fun to see the building so energized.
Judy(Battle Ground): What are the new approaches that you are planning for the organization during the interim?
Tod Leiweke: There are alot of good people already in place here. My role will be more about the longterm and finding the proper leadership to bring this franchise forward to a new level.
Kevin (Portland): What sort of characteristics are you looking for in a President and GM?
Tod Leiweke: As I think about a President of Business Operations, we need to have a franchise that is healthy, not only on the court, but off the court. We need someone who can reach out to the community, bring fans back to the Rose Garden and drive our local revenues.
Tod Leiweke: The GM is a key position and we think we have a great opportunity here for someone. This team is on the rise, and the pedigree of support with our fan base is very good and our owner is committed to building a winner.
Carl in Camas: Would say that Kevin Pritchard is one of the favorites for the GM job?
Tod Leiweke: Kevin is absolutely a candidate for the GM position. But it is incumbent on us to do a thorough and extensive search in order to reach our goal of building one of the best organizations in the NBA.
Ryan, Tigard: Who is on the list for the GM job? Geoff Petrie? Kiki Vandewhe? Rick Aldelman?
Tod Leiweke: We think we'll have a lot interest in that position, given all the assets of the Blazers and our strong ownership. As we move forward, we're not going to be commenting on specific names brought up, other than acknowledging that Kevin Pritchard is a candidate for the job.
Grant, beaverton: The Trail Blazers had such a great draft, will you be involved with the draft?
Tod Leiweke: No. We've got great basketball here, led by Kevin Pritchard, who will handle the draft. Also, Paul Allen has great passion for the game and insights as well.
Tim (Portland): Are you staying with the seahawks also? And, if so, is this something where you think you'll be able to fully focus on both ventures?
Tod Leiweke: I will continue to be the CEO of the Seahawks, the addition to my duties is as CEO of the Vulcan Sports and Entertainment. My job in this new role is to provide oversight for Mr. Allen's professional teams. Soon we'll have in place a new Team President and GM who will reside in Portland and get out of bed every day thinking about how they will deliver an NBA championship to Portland.
Colin (Portland): Hi Tod, what have you been asked to focus on as your first tasks for the Blazers. Please keep the young core intact, I love the new look Blazers!
Tod Leiweke: My task is simple: to find new leadership and provide a positive environment for them to operate in.
Gudmund (Colorado Springs): How did you get your start in the sports business world?
Tod Leiweke: My first big job was with the Golden State Warriors in 1986 and interestingly enough, my mentor organization then, was the Portland Trail Blazers as I made many trips to Portland to try and understand and replicate the great success up here with the Blazers.
Henry Abbott: When do you expect we'll know more about the Rose Garden situation?
Tod Leiweke: A term sheet has been agreed to and we're hopeful in the coming weeks a final agreement will be reached where we can reunite the team and the arena.
Kip - Gresham, OR: Do you feel that the President and GM positons should be separate or would there be a situation where one person could handle both jobs?
Tod Leiweke: The thinking right now is that the positions would be separate. But we won't land on a final model pending several discussions and interviews and meetings.
Kyle (Portland): What role will you have with the Blazers once you find a GM and President for the team?
Tod Leiweke: My role will then be to provide general oversight of the Blazers and Paul Allen's other sports enterprises. Having operated other teams I think I have an unique understanding of the environment where executives can succeed and flourish. Besides that I'll be a fan and I'm proud to say I bought two season tickets yesterday.
Tod Leiweke: I want to thank the fans for their support and share with them my view that the best days for the Blazers are in front of us. Hang in there. Keep the faith.
