Nike and the Portland Trail Blazers have joined forced with the city of Portland to resurface dozens of basketball courts at city public parks.

Under an agreement approved Thursday by the City Council, Nike will donate $750,000 and the Blazers $300,000 to spruce up nearly 100 basketball courts city wide.

"This is the kind of relationship we want with the business community here in our city," said Mayor Ted Wheeler.

Workers will repair and replace worn-out courts, hoops and backboards and emblazon the reconditioned courts with a Nike swoosh and Trail Blazer pinwheel logo.

The project is similar to one Nike spent $2 million on in 2002. Since then, the courts have been "much loved and well used" and need restoration, said Kia Selley, the interim Parks & Rec director.

Courts at Laurelhurst Park, Unthank Park, Essex Park and Farragut Park won't be resurfaced, the city's contract said, because those courts "have more significant structural issues and will require further study and evaluation."

-- Gordon R. Friedman

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