Today the Portland Trail Blazers announced Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) & Executive Vice President (EVP) Dewayne Hankins as the organization’s new President of Business Operations. He is succeeding Chris McGowan, President & CEO, who will step down from the role after nine successful years, effective November 26, 2021.
Per the Blazers, “under Hankins’ leadership with the team, the Trail Blazers achieved franchise records in ticket sales and corporate sponsorships, specifically in digital media revenue. He also played a key role in signing the first cryptocurrency company, StormX, to an NBA jersey patch deal in 2021, as well as in the negotiation of the broadcast deal with ROOT SPORTS, which brings Trail Blazers games to more fans than ever before across Oregon, Washington and Alaska.”
“Since joining the Trail Blazers in 2013, Dewayne has been crucial to our success and growth,” said Jody Allen, chair of the Trail Blazers. “Now in his ninth season with us, we’re thrilled to have him lead the organization.”
“It was a pleasure to work with Chris, and I want to thank him for the last decade of mentorship,” Hankins said. “I also want to thank Jody and Bert for their continued trust in me as I take on this new role.”
“We are grateful for Chris’s contributions since joining the Trail Blazers nearly a decade ago,” said Jody Allen, chair of the Trail Blazers. “I appreciate his dedication to the organization and to our fans, and we wish him well in his next chapter.”
“I want to thank Paul Allen, Jody Allen and Bert Kolde for giving me the opportunity to lead this great organization over the past nine years,” McGowan said. “In addition, I want to thank our amazing staff for their tireless dedication to creating extraordinary moments at Moda Center and in the community and thank our players who represent everything that is good about Portland.”
