Carolina Hurricanes owner and now new Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon has become one of the most polarizing figures in sports ownership, drawing sharp criticism across NBA circles for his hardline spending philosophy. And now even NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has weighed in on the backlash surrounding the billionaire owner.
NHL Boss Sounds Off on Backlash Around Blazers Owner
Much of the criticism around Dundon has centered on his aggressive cost-cutting approach since taking over the Trail Blazers in March 2026.
While Dundon has long been known in hockey for building the Hurricanes into a contender through disciplined spending, that same philosophy has sparked controversy in the NBA.
During Portland’s playoff run, Dundon has faced scrutiny over several penny-pinching moves, including limiting travel for two-way players and reports that staff were pushed out of hotel rooms early to avoid fees. Fans also pushed back after the team initially opted against handing out playoff T-shirts, while reports about a low salary ceiling for the team’s next head coach only added fuel to the criticism.
The string of decisions has even earned Dundon the “El Cheapo” label from critics.
Still, Dundon has shown little concern over the noise. He has made clear that popularity is not a priority for him, insisting that results matter far more than public perception.
Asked about the criticism surrounding Dundon, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman offered a strong defense. “Tom is a very good owner. He has his own way of doing things, which has been very effective, and he’s done a great job in Carolina. When it came time to deal with the authorities in Raleigh with respect to what was going to be done to the building and renovating it, he negotiated in good faith,” Bettman said.
Bettman also highlighted Dundon’s role in strengthening the Hurricanes both on and off the ice, including arena renovation efforts and growing the franchise’s long-term outlook.
Supporters of Dundon, including NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, have made similar arguments, pointing to his track record. “It’s a mindset on how to run a business. It’s a scrappy approach to like, I think, focusing on details, making people feel everything matters… This guy’s a winner. He’s won in everything he’s ever been involved in, so let’s give him an opportunity,” Silver said.
Since buying the Hurricanes in 2018, Tom Dundon has turned Carolina from a struggling franchise into a perennial contender, growing the team’s value from $420 million to $2.66 billion in 2026.
Dundon has argued that trimming unnecessary spending allows him to be more aggressive where it matters most, on players and building a winning roster.
What makes the backlash even louder is that Portland is actually playing well.
The Trail Blazers are locked in a competitive first-round series with San Antonio, and critics argue Dundon’s hard-nosed approach risks creating friction with players and staff just as the franchise appears to be gaining momentum.
For now, though, Dundon seems unmoved, and Bettman made it clear he believes the billionaire owner’s track record speaks for itself.
