Trail Blazers buyer seeks more local investors, and Columbia Sportswear’s Tim Boyle is interested

Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon heads a group that has reached a deal to buy Portland’s beloved NBA franchise .

But it appears the group is still growing. Dundon’s business partners have been in contact with prominent Oregonians about investing in the days leading up to Wednesday’s announcement — including Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle, who’s considering it.

“If it helped to keep the team here, I’d be interested,” Boyle said.

Boyle said he’s had some conversations with Dundon’s business partners in recent weeks, and he’s interested in being a “tiny speck” of an investor.

“It’s an incredibly important institution for the state, and especially for the city,” Boyle said. “Where the city goes, the state goes in many respects.”

Another source with direct knowledge of the acquisi