Fans in Portland are calling for a Boycott on Panda Express, Tom Dundon’s ownership partner.
Dundon isn’t cooperating with the city in negotiations for funding modernization repairs to the Moda Center, and is holding the team’s future in Portland hostage as leverage. He has failed to sign any long-term guarantee to keep the Blazers in Portland. For those who don’t know Dundon, he made his fortune in the subprime high-interest auto loan business. That tells you all you need to know as to the quality of his character.
So the boycott idea goes like this: If Dundon’s business partners suffer damage to their brand identity and profitability simply by association then it adds to Dundon’s already scummy reputation but in a way that matters to him. Dundon’s ownership partners are the founders of Panda Express.
If Panda Express becomes toxic to NBA fans nationwide then that’s a huge market that now finds them disgusting due to their proximity to Tom Dundon. Word travels fast in the billionaire investment community. His name could become toxic gas overnight, and he would understand this immediately.
I’ve raised my kids to love the Portland Trailblazers. Ours is a charismatic, sometimes challenging, and endlessly beautiful city. The grit of the Blazers has always reflected the grit of the people of Portland. We’ve been through a lot and we’ve survived. I would ask that NBA fans come to our aid and defend our city against this ghoulish development and help keep our franchise in Portland for the next half-century and beyond.
Boycott Panda Express.