Portland’s Marquee Sports and Arts Organizations Form New Alliance
New coalition “We Play for Portland” to advocate for a stronger city and more fans.
Portland, Ore. — Some of Portland’s iconic sports, arts, and culture institutions are joining forces to support one another and champion the city’s future.
The Portland Trail Blazers, Portland Timbers, Oregon Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland Art Museum, Sport Oregon, Portland Metro Chamber and others are founding members of We Play for Portland, a new coalition working together to attract more fans, increase support, and revitalize Portland through sports, arts, and culture.
From the symphony hall to the stadium, these institutions are joining forces to support one another on critical city issues that affect their fans, their future, and the vitality of Portland itself. While the organizations offer different types of events, they share a deep connection to the city and its publicly owned performance halls and sports facilities.
“Sports and the arts are key to Portland’s livability and economic vitality, and we are joining together in a way that has never happened before,” said Isaac Thompson, president and CEO of the Oregon Symphony. “We care about the future of this city, and we are all lined up. We want to be part of the solution.”
Coalition members will advocate for improvement in three areas: public-owned facilities, funding for the events sector, and the urban environment. They want to ensure the broader sport and art ecosystem has steady funding sources, top-tier venues, and lively, clean neighborhoods to keep the crowds coming.
“We are here for our friends in the arts, and we know they will be here for us, too,” said Jim Etzel, CEO of Sport Oregon. “The city has some big decisions to make about how to support the teams, performers, and artists who make Portland special. We’re showing up for one another because what’s good for one of us is good for us all — and good for Portland as a whole.”
When audiences come to Portland for games, shows, and cultural events, they also support the local economy by eating in restaurants, filling hotel rooms, and going shopping. A thriving sports and arts culture in a central city increases foot traffic and helps revive the city’s core.