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Canzano: Power-wielding Paul Allen tops list of influential Oregon sports figures
Published: Saturday, July 24, 2010, 9:00 AM Updated: Sunday, July 25, 2010, 9:39 PM
View full sizeBased on his big spending and clout, Blazers owner Paul Allen is the most influential figure in Oregon sports.Allen hired and fired in the last few months — executives and assistants. And he leveraged Portland’s Triple-A baseball team straight out of the city. And in the end, the Blazers owner spends millions, and owns the state’s premier sports venue. If we’re talking about juice, Allen tops Nike founder Phil Knight for the first time here.
Allen and Knight have dominated the top two spots most years in this poll, and they remain 1-2 again in 2010. But below that power duo, there are 12 newcomers in the bottom 23 spots, including a quarterback tandem, an army of obscenity-screaming fans and one of Greg Oden’s most-talked about body parts.
You know — his knee.
The only rule for this list: No media allowed. The criteria: Does a person have clout or not? After much consideration by this columnist, it was decided that individuals who have died (Clive Charles and Steve Prefontaine both narrowly missed the list in 2010) are eligible for consideration.
After all, nobody can deny Jesus has influence.
The Top 25 Most Influential People in Oregon Sports
Last year's ranking in parentheses 
1. Paul Allen (2): Trail Blazers owner, 57, owns the state's only professional major league sports franchise and is operating with a sense of urgency as he battles non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He fired/hired general managers, made changes in his coaching staff, and has his fingerprints on roster moves. Allen owns the state's top sports venue (Rose Garden Arena), and flexed muscle with a proposed entertainment-district development that effectively pushed Portland's Triple-A baseball club out of the Rose Quarter, and ultimately out of state. 
2. Phil Knight (1): The Nike founder and top University of Oregon donor, 72, prepares to open his legacy project (Matthew Knight Arena). Knight's $100 million pledge to UO and his status as the state's No. 1 fan and booster gives him big-time juice. He has influence and he knows how to use it. Knight momentarily loses his grip on the top spot, but only because Allen is unusually active and motivated.
3. Chip Kelly (11): Volatile first season as Ducks head football coach culminated with a Rose Bowl berth... and a series of ugly and embarrassing off-field issues. The guy can flat coach, so if he solves the discipline issues, he'll soar. And if he doesn't, he'll tank. Kelly, 46, has the opportunity to elevate the profile of a program that has a chance to make back-to-back Rose Bowls for the first time in history. 
4. Mike Riley (13): Oregon State football coach, 57, was one big play from a Rose Bowl berth himself in 2009. He makes no excuses, and makes more with less than any coach in the Pac-10. Riley gets big-time respect, and possesses well-deserved influence. Riley's decision to recruit Jacquizz and James Rodgers ends up as the key to getting big-exposure Sept. 4 showdown with TCU at Cowboys Stadium. 
5. Timbers Army (NR): Drumming, chanting, scarf-wearing soccer supporters transformed overnight from a band of PGE Park rowdies to an effective and influential political organization. Their political clout ends up greasing the wheels on the effort to bring Major League Soccer to Portland. Two favorite sayings: Rose City till we die. If you want to be in the Timbers Army, you already are. 
6. Larry Miller (7): The Blazers president, 59, holds more influence than any other employee at One Center Court -- not even close now that Kevin Pritchard is toast. Miller's job is mostly to keep the revenue flowing, but if the team wins a playoff series and he can solve the maddening Comcast SportsNet Northwest television-deal, he'll go higher here next season. 
7. Merritt Paulson (9): Thirty-seven-year old owner of the Portland Timbers soars up this list as the opening day for Major League Soccer in Portland approaches. He thinks big, has solid vision and is a deft strategist. MLS franchise will raise the profile of the state, and gives Paulson increased juice. 
8. Greg Oden's Knee (NR): As the knee goes, so go the Blazers. The team's top pick from 2007 must keep the joint healthy, keep the patella intact, stay off a stretcher, and get through a full NBA season without a serious spell on the inactive list. Want to end the Sam Bowie comparisons for once and for all? Stay healthy, Mr. Knee. 
9. Rob Mullens (NR): Just-hired Oregon athletic director, 41, is sitting on a sleeping giant of an athletic department. His responsibility for maximizing revenue-generating sports, managing a $70 million athletic-department budget, and successfully opening Matthew Knight Arena make him the most influential new guy. Despite a winning football season, Oregon athletic department ran $642,000 deficit last fiscal year. 
10. Brandon Roy (5): Three-time NBA All-Star, 26, has an NBA maximum contract, and provided maximum chills in an inspired Game 4 playoff return last season that came only eight days after knee surgery. Roy's ability to lead, stay healthy, and involve the improving team around him become paramount to the Blazers organization winning its first playoff series since 1999-2000 season.
11. Bob De Carolis (4): Oregon State athletic director, 56, had to come up with $1.2 million to fix the painful mistake that was fired women's basketball coach LaVonda Wagner. OSU operated at a $5.9 million deficit last fiscal year and so De Carolis must find creative ways to increase donor gifts and reduce his budget. Beavers athletic department is deep in the red until 2012 when new Pacific-10 Conference television deal kicks in. 
12. Hubert Kolde (NR): Paul Allen's former college roommate at Washington State University and vice chair of Vulcan Sports travels with, hangs out with, and sits courtside with the Blazers owner. Insiders tell you the 56-year-old friend has Allen's ear and trust, and by virtue, big-time juice within the organization. 
13. Nate McMillan (10): Blazers coach, 45, had a terrific regular season and led one of the league's feel-good stories by overcoming a ridiculous number of injuries last season. "Sarge" struggled to find answers for the second-consecutive postseason, however, and overhauled his staff in the offseason. 
14. Jacquizz Rodgers (23t): Oregon State running back is the most influential college athlete in Oregon. The junior known as "Quizz" scored 22 touchdowns last season — third most in major college football — and will be asked to carry his team in a way no other in-state college athlete will this year. 
15. Rich Cho (NR): Trail Blazers general manager, 44, slides into the job vacated by the firing of Kevin Pritchard. Former Boeing engineer is capable, careful, well-educated and knows the NBA landscape. He has big-time clout by virtue of his job despan style=visibility:hiddenion, but ultimately will rise or sink on this list by his ability to shape the roster. 
16. Sarah Mensah (17): Blazers senior vice president, 45, is the most influential female in Oregon sports. She's responsible for sponsorships and sales, the big-ticket revenue items, and has rapidly risen through an organization that isn't easily navigated. 
17. Craig Robinson (15): Oregon State men's basketball coach, 48, has made the Beavers relevant again, in part because of his personal name recognition as Michelle Obama's brother. He talks about wanting to take the next step with what he's started. Robinson has state's attention, and the influence on campus to get resources from OSU at a time when there aren't many available. 
18. Dana Altman (NR): First-year Oregon basketball coach, 52, gets a gorgeous state-of-the-art arena, and the chance to take Ducks program to another level. That results in major in-state influence. 
19. Reser Family (NR): Al Reser, 74, died in his sleep in April, but his legacy and support of Beavers athletics continues. The Reser Family has donated more than $25 million to different Oregon State causes. 
20. Darron Thomas/Nate Costa (NR): One of these two Ducks QBs ends up with a burst of sudden in-state influence with his ability to win the starting job and replace ex-Heisman candidate and current football desperado Jeremiah Masoli. 
21. Pat Casey (24): Oregon State's two-time national championship baseball coach carries serious clout on and off the diamond, and also, he carries the spring hopes of Beaver Nation. 
22. George Horton (NR): University of Oregon baseball coach gets the Ducks into the NCAA Tournament — and increases his statewide influence — a year before anyone expected he might. 
23. Mike Golub (NR): Timbers chief operating officer, 48, has strong connections and knows the landscape of professional sports in a way that makes a difference. 
24. Cheri Hanson (20): Blazers vice president of communications, 47, is a key behind-the-scenes player widely regarded as the best public relations person in the NBA. 
25. Nigel Burton (NR): First-year Portland State football coach, 33, takes over a program that struggled to draw fans and win games the last three seasons. Dropped out
Mike Bellotti (3), Al Reser (6), Darius Miles (8), Kevin Pritchard (12), Steve Prefontaine (14), Fred Schreyer (16), Ernie Kent (18), Mike Dunlap (19), Vin Lananna (21), Jerry Glanville (22), Jeremiah Masoli (23t), Kara Goucher (25).Newcomers
5. Timbers Army 8. Greg Oden's Knee 9. Rob Mullens 12. Hubert Kolde 15. Rich Cho 18. Dana Altman 19. Reser Family 20t. Darron Thomas 20t. Nate Costa 22. George Horton 23. Mike Golub 25. Nigel Burton.Also considered
- Clive Charles (soccer legend)
- Richard Lariviere (UO president)
- Steve Prefontaine (track legend)
- Vin Lananna (UO director of track and field)
- Theresa Tran (sports marketing/PR consultant)
- Randy Couture (MMA star/promoter/actor)
- Terrence Jones (basketball player from Jefferson High School)
- Danny Miles (basketball coach, Oregon Institute of Technology)
- Gavin Wilkinson (Timbers general manager)
- Pat Kilkenny (UO booster)
- Torre Chisholm, (Portland State athletic director)
- Randy Leonard (city commissioner)
- Andrew Wheating (middle-distance runner)
- Bill Schonely (Blazers ambassador)
- Alberto Salazar (Nike/running coach)
- Mariel Zagunis (Olympic fencing gold medalist)
- Scott Brosius (Linfield baseball coach)
- Tod Leiweke (CEO Vulcan Sports and Entertainment)
- Ryan Brach (Timbers vice president)
- Peter Jacobsen (golfer/broadcaster/promoter)
- Jennie Logsdon (fishing Web site)
- Brian Grant, (ex-Blazer, Parkinson's research advocate)
- LaMichael James (Oregon running back)
- Tom Welter (OSAA executive director)
— John Canzano; Catch him on the radio on "The Bald-Faced Truth," 3-6 p.m. weekdays on KXTG (95.5).
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I esp like #5...Sometimes a "small" group of "rowdies"/ (aka Rabid Supporters), can turn the tide. When Mayor Margaret was in power, I was one of the "original" Timber's Supporters...Actually held 9 season's tickets for myself and Rabid Friends...We were loud, no doubt...But ALL in good fun!
HEY FOOLS.
I AM THE ONE THAT BROKE STORY ON PAUL TO NY AT WEDDING WITH CARMELO.
I was at the wedding and heard it all. They want to go where there is the most money and a spot that the refs will give them the calls. Its all about the new three.
Paul will not sign another contract until NY so its one year on loan for someone maybe a stupid vulcan and another as a restricted free agent or a sign and trade stipulation to NY and only NEW YORK, NEW YORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BYE FOOLSSSS. KEEP DREAMIN""""""""""""""""""
Very surprised that the list included Costa and Thomas (who?) Not included was Andrew Wheating.
You've got to be kidding me? The kid wipes out Prefontaine's mile record, 3:51.74, runs a 3:30.90 for the 1500 meters in Europe just this week, also runs a PR 1:44and change in the 800 meters this week and puts the duck track and field program under Vin Lananna back on track as the greatest middle distance running school in the country and you placed unproven Costa and sophomore Thomas ahead of Wheating. Get real. You apparently do not care for track and field if you find the no accomplishment pair of Costa and Thomas as more influential. Geeze! Even the most illogical of people choosing on worthiness could not place this pair of a proven Andrew Wheating.
Even in a year where the Pac 10 title and a Rose Bowl aren't within sight, the starting QB at Oregon (and even OSU) is much more influential than a track star. Great athlete, great program, but football is #1 and essentially #2 in college athletics. Costa or Thomas have a chance to make history at UO this year if they can return to the Rose Bowl. There is no equivalent of that in track and field. Wheating could break Usain Bolt's 100m record and it still isn't as influential as what those two can do on a football field.
2 or 3 anonymous staffers from the Blazers over Vin Lananna? Some Blazer PR flack over a guy whose teams and team members ranked near the top of the NCAA..and are consistently doing so?
You must be trying to position yourself for an upgrade buffet at the Rose Garden?
Maybe if those staffers (Mensah, Hanson) actually contributed something to the performance on the floor? Oops, the performance on the floor hasn't been all that great either.
Pat Casey should move up the list...at least higher than Robinson.
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