The Portland, er, uh, Oregon Trailblazers, or whatever they are, unveiled a new 2020-21 City Edition uniform combination, including a new regional name: The Oregon Trailblazers.

The National Basketball Association team, playing in Portland since the league expanded in 1970 heralded it's new duds, saying "celebrating the unique beauty of Oregon's landscape as well as acknowledging the tribal nations throughout the region who have called this land their home from the beginning."

Their website goes on to say, "Oregon stitched for the first time in team history across the chest, displays the pride for our state using the font from the recognizable sign that continues to shine in old town Portland. The lead design element of the uniform is in earth tone colors, representing the beautiful and unique landscape and topography of Oregon.

One legislator from Southern Oregon -- while not completely taking credit for the name change -- is certainly burnishing his prophetic credentials. HCR 15 in 2019 was introduced by State Representative E. Werner Reschke (R-Malin) and read, in part:

Resolved, That we recognize the importance of the team to the entire State of Oregon and its place in the hearts of Oregonians across the state; and be it further
Resolved, That we urge the Portland Trail Blazers organization to change the name of the team to the “Oregon Trail Blazers.”

The bill urging the name change did not receive a hearing and died in the rules committee as the 2019 Session adjourned.

It's not clear whether the team is hoping to distance itself from the city of Portland, which has been the home of some less-than-wholesome events in the past few months.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-10-31 09:36:29

Last Update: 2020-10-31 18:48:42