ANNE M. PETERSON Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

FILE - Tom Dundon, majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes talks to the media about his $250 million investment in the Alliance of American Football league before the start of an NHL hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward, File)

Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon strikes tentative deal to buy the Portland Trail Blazers

August 13, 2025

A group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Don Dundon has reached a tentative agreement with Paul Allen’s estate to buy the Trail Blazers and keep the team in Portland. Dundon confirmed the agreement in a text exchange with The Associated Press on Wednesday. The group includes Sheel Tyle, the co-founder of investment firm Collective Global, and Marc Zahr, co-president of Blue Owl Capital. The NBA Board of Governors has to ratify any final purchase agreement. ESPN reported Wednesday that the deal was for $4 billion. Dundon did not reveal the terms of the sale to the AP.

FILE - Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates after a shot against the Orlando Magic during the second half of an NBA basketball game, March 5, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski, File)

Injured Damian Lillard is grateful to be ‘back home’ with the Trail Blazers

July 21, 2025

It hit Damian Lillard as he drove home with his kids after signing a contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers. He was coming home. Lillard’s three children accompanied him to sign his three-year, $42 million deal with the Blazers over the weekend. The contract includes a no-trade clause and he can opt out after two seasons. Lillard spoke at a news conference on Monday evening, saying it’s meaningful to return to the city where he’s spent most of his adult life. The 35-year-old is unlikely to play this season while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.

Damian Lillard returns to the Trail Blazers on a 3-year deal worth $42 million, AP source says

July 18, 2025

Damian Lillard is back where he started. Lillard signed a three-year deal worth $42 million to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been officially announced. Lillard was the sixth pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Trail Blazers and spent 11 seasons with Portland before he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks just before the 2023-24 season.

People attend a launch event announcing Portland Fire as the name of Portland's WNBA basketball franchise outside the Moda Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Expansion WNBA team brings back the original Portland Fire name

July 15, 2025

Oregon’s WNBA team stepped back in time for its new name, reintroducing the Portland Fire. The expansion franchise, which begins play next next season alongside the Toronto Tempo, announced its name and branding on Tuesday — reviving the moniker of the city’s previous WNBA team that played from 2000 to 2002. Interim Fire president Clare Hamill says “fans have been waiting for us to come back, and we’re back with the Portland Fire.” In addition to the name, the team has a new “Rose on Fire” logo and a color palette of red, brown, blue and pink.

Faith Kipyegon sets 1,500 world record at the Prefontaine Classic

July 5, 2025

Kenyan Faith Kipyegon set a world record in the 1,500 meters Saturday at the Prefontaine Classic, finishing in 3 minutes, 48.68 seconds. Kipyegon, a three-time Olympic champion in the event, bested her own record of 3:49.04 in the event, set last July before the Paris Games. The 31-year-old Kipyegon sprinted alone down the stretch at Hayward Field cheered by the crowd. After crossing the finish line, she wrapped herself in the Kenyan flag.

Beatrice Chebet, of Kenya, celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the women 5000 meters at the Diamond League Golden Gala Pietro Mennea athletics meet at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Beatrice Chebet sets world record in 5,000 meters