Blazers hire McGowan as team president

Just days before opening the curtain on the new season, the Portland Trail Blazers have found their new president.

On Monday, the Blazers announced Chris McGowan as team president and chief executive officer. McGowan will direct the business branch of the Blazers, which includes the Rose Garden Arena, while general manager Neil Olshey oversees all basketball matters.

The Blazers will formally introduce McGowan during a Tuesday afternoon press conference at the Rose Garden. McGowan will assume duties on Nov. 12.

“I am excited to be joining Paul Allen (team owner) and his management team,” McGowan said in a statement. “I am eager to join the staff and continue to build an organization of which the city can be proud.”

McGowan comes to Portland after spending 16 years with the Anschutz Entertainment Group in Los Angeles. As chief operating officer, McGowan oversaw various business divisions of the 2012 Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings and Major League Soccer team, L.A. Galaxy.

In a press release, Allen heralded McGowan’s leadership at AEG and expressed confidence that McGowan will “find ways to improve the Blazers’ business performance” in his new role.

McGowan fills the open position that was last held by Larry Miller, who resigned last July.

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