$4.25bn NBA team urged to be patient with new ‘disruptor’ owner and learn from Hurricanes’ transformation

The Carolina Hurricanes finally broke through their Eastern Conference roadblock.

Now, they are competing for the Stanley Cup for the first time in two decades, and despite their Game 1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, will feel they are in a good spot.

Getty

They became the first team to reach the final with only one loss since 1983, and lifting the trophy would feel like the cherry on top for owner Tom Dundon.

Dundon purchased the team seven years ago for $420 million. At the time of his purchase, Carolina hadn’t qualified for the postseason in nine-straight years.

Home attendances ranked near the bottom of the league, averaging just over 13,00 at the Lenovo Center.

But under Dundon’s leadership, the Hurricanes have reached the playoffs in all seven seasons, advancing to the conference finals three times, and now, a Stanley Cup opportunity.

His reputation as an owner amongst Hurricanes players and front office execs is outstanding, a stark contrast to how he is being perceived as an NBA owner.

Blazers fans urged to be patient with Dundon after controversial start

Dundon’s $4.25 billion bid to buy the Portland Trail Blazers was approved at the end of March, weeks after selling 12.5 percent of the Hurricanes, but his first few months in charge have been turbulent to say the least.

There were initially some concerns when Dundon made an approach for the Trail Blazers that he would perhaps look to relocate the team across the country – but terms of the sale would not allow this.

Dundon faced criticism for replacing free T-shirts for fans at home playoff games with towels, and the dismissal of 70 employees.

Most controversially, not traveling with its two-way players to San Antonio for the start of the first round, a series which they would lose.

To many who have worked with Dundon across hockey have been surprised by the intense criticism he has faced since taking over Portland.

Getty

Getty

“The fact of the matter is, he doesn’t always do things in traditional ways,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told The Athletic.

“I think in some ways he’s a bit of a disruptor, but he’s extraordinarily creative and effective. And the results in Carolina — they’re both on and off the ice.”

Dundon surprised at criticism – sets clear goal for Blazers ownership

Dundon would not go on to say he regretted his actions, in the same interview with The Athletic, but did have one wish if he could turn back time.

“If there were little changes that I thought were going to get out, that were going to create drama in the middle of the (NBA) playoffs, I wouldn’t have done it, that was the main thing.”

Before the sale went through, the Trail Blazers owned one of the NBA’s worst in the four years prior to their brief playoff appearance this year.

“The way we run the playing team (in Portland) is just like we do (with the Hurricanes),” Dundon said.

Getty

“We do everything we can to win, players are well taken care of, then we run the business to be efficient.

“I don’t think any of those things, for me, they’re not very controversial.”

Dundon had one final message to the Portland fans who have not agreed with his cost-cutting measures.

“I don’t make the decisions to save money. I make the decisions to win,” he concluded.

Stay up to date with the NBA across all our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET