As everyone continues to monitor Portland to see if …

Mike Vorkunov: As everyone continues to monitor Portland to see if the Trail Blazers can reach a deal with the local gov't on funding for arena renovations, it is worth considering what the NBA's constitution says about relocation and how it would have to happen: — The team owner must pay a $250,000 application fee for relocation. — The team must apply to relocate by March 1 of the season before when it intends to move. — The NBA commissioner appoints a relocation committee of at least 5 owners. They investigate the relocation and have to deliver their findings within 120 days of the application, and recommend whether to approve or deny relocation. — The relocation committee's recommendation will depend on 9 factors: the team's support in their market, the ability of the current city to support the team (including arena situation), the ability of the new city to support a NBA team, and impact on the NBA as a whole (including effect of the move on its media deal and sponsors), among other factors. — "The question whether to approve the proposed relocation shall be decided by a MAJORITY vote" of NBA team owners, not 3/4 as is often the case on NBA matters. — NBA's Board of Governors can impose the team owner to indemnify the league and pay a fee to be able to move the team.