Podcast appearances and mentions of bill oram

It's a Best Of edition of Dirt & Sprague. Topics include a conversation with Bill Oram from The Oregonian about the city funding the team and discussing the craze local soccer fans are feeling during the World Cup.

Sprague and Bill Oram spar over the certainty of the Blazers-Moda Center deal getting done, is Giannis to the Blazers not as far fetched as you think, and more OTA sound bites around the NFL.

The latest on the Blazers coaching search and the guys react to Tom Dundon's sit down chat with Bill Oram...why do fans get so reactionary to coaches and not GM's...and Sprague's new fanny pack...is anything more anti-climactic than a combined no-hitter?

Braga, King, and Ski talk::15: Karma for chuds, the golden rule of not being a dick, Ski getting blocked like Hormuz, bonding with road rage.22:00: Skip Bayless grasping for relevancy, Knicks/Thunder killing basketball, Bill Oram scare tactics, podcast babies, 44:00: Warrantymaxxing, the USA taking credit for Japanese cars, the rizzless GOP, roasting Kevin Hart, finding Lisa Lampanelli.1:09:40: Edward Fortyhands, top 3 milks.

Bill Oram, Columnist for The Oregonian, joined the show to talk about Portland Trailblazers Owner Thomas Dundon and some of the rumors that he might be cheaping out at Head Coach. 

Jake & Ben Full Show from April 30, 2026 Hour 1 The Utah Mammoth blew another Third Period Lead last night and now trail Vegas 3-2. Game 6 Tomorrow.  Top 3 Stories of the Day: NBA Playoffs, Utah Mammoth back to the Delta Center for Game 6 Tomorrow, Big 12 Approves a Private Capital Deal.  Is this lady faking it?  Hour 2 ESPN NHL Writer Ryan S Clark joined to talk Stanley Cup Playoffs and how the Mammoth stack up against other Young NHL Teams.  As we learn the game of hockey, how involved are Head Coaches in-game compared to other sports? Law & Order Hour 3 Utah Mammoth Head Coach Andre Tourigny joined Jake & Ben after his team's Double Overtime Loss in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. What went wrong and how will the team respond in Game 6? Bill Oram, Columnist for The Oregonian, joined the show to talk about Portland Trailblazers Owner Thomas Dundon and some of the rumors that he might be cheaping out at Head Coach.  Audio Vault: Klay Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion have Broken Up Hour 4 Live at 5 - The Utah Mammoth are in a do or die tomorrow in Game 6. Has this series changed how you feel about the Mammoth's season?  Why do this year's NBA Playoffs not feel as exciting as they should?  Jake has never had Baja Blast. 

Hour 3 of Jake & Ben on April 30, 2026 Utah Mammoth Head Coach Andre Tourigny joined Jake & Ben after his team's Double Overtime Loss in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. What went wrong and how will the team respond in Game 6? Bill Oram, Columnist for The Oregonian, joined the show to talk about Portland Trailblazers Owner Thomas Dundon and some of the rumors that he might be cheaping out at Head Coach.  Audio Vault: Klay Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion have Broken Up

What were the biggest surprises from the first round of the NFL Draft?...Is Sean McVay happy with the Rams taking Ty Simpson?...and Bill Oram from The Oregonian previews Blazers-Spurs Game 3 and chimes in on the scrutiny around Tom Dundon?

Bill Oram of The Oregonian joins the show to preview Blazers-Spurs Game 3, address the rumors of Damian Lillard potentially playing in the playoffs, and chimes in on the scrutiny surrounding Tom Dundon.

Bill Oram joins Wolf and Luke to discuss the NBA Play-In matchup between the Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers, which Portland Trail Blazer player could impact this game the most, and if the Trail Blazers have a culture.

Sports Columnist for The Oregonian, Bill Oram stops by the show with Spring Break Breakfast menus, thoughts on Tom Dundon officially taking control of the Blazers...The Beavers transitioning the MBB team from Tinkle to Joyner...and The Fire assembling a full team in a month.

Sports Columnist for The Oregonian, Bill Oram returns to the show to try and convince the guys that the Civil War Football series is very much worth extending despite the current chasm between the two schools on the field

Bill Oram joins the guys to stump for keeping the Civil War football series going, and Blazers sidelines reporter Brooke Olzendam joins the guys to give us a check up on her health and remind you that her Heart your Heart campaign is back for a 7th year.

It's all about Ducks vs. Hoosiers round 2 in hour 2 as the biggest concern for Oregon going into the game is the lack of depth at RB...we hear the final public thoughts of Dan Lanning and Curt Cignetti...plus Bill Oram of The Oregonian joins the guys live from Atlanta with the latest stories floating around the stadium.

He was dazzle by magic when he arrived in Atlanta, will he be dazzled by Dante Moore in his 2nd shot at the Hoosiers defense...Bill Oram live from the Peach Bowl gives the guys a full update and preview of tonight's CFP semifinal

A rare must watch Thursday Night football game...what is Vandy trying to pull off? Bill Oram returns to the show to defend his Christmas Tree. and more local media members weigh in on their trees.

Oregonian Sports Columnist Bill Oram returns to the Ticker to defend his Christmas Tree which has been the point of much ridicule this week.

The Beavers have hired a new head coach in JaMarcus Shephard from Bama, is it the best move they could make...Bill Oram joins the Ticker with thoughts on the hire and if he thinks the Ducks are primed for a deep run in the CFB Playoff...plus, Jonathan Smith gets turfed by Michigan St....the guys play what if Smith never panicked two years ago...

Did the Beavs make the best decision they could hiring JaMarcus Shephard and what did the Ducks win at Washington prove to Bill Oram of The Oregonian...

Eric Gundersen, Mike Richman, Bill Oram, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl all offer their preseason predictions for the Trailblazers season that gets underway tonight.

On Oregon State firing Trent Bray... what now?

Bill Oram of The Oregonian on Trent Bray's firing. How surprised are you Oregon State made the move? Who are some early candidates? Penn State fires James Franklin after 3rd straight loss.

Earlier this month, Brett Hollins embarked on a road trip to Oregon from his parents’ home in San Antonio. He didn’t come to experience the high desert splendor of Central Oregon or to snap selfies at Multnomah Falls. He came to present workshops and play basketball with inmates at six prisons across the state, including Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario and Warner Creek Correctional Facility in Lakeview, both of which he once served time in.    In 2017, Hollins was sentenced to nearly six years in prison after pleading guilty to stabbing two men during a brawl that broke out during a party he and his friends attended near the campus of Southern Oregon University in Ashland. In 2021, then-Gov. Kate Brown commuted his sentence after he had served nearly four years of his six-year sentence.   The Oregonian/OregonLive sports writer Bill Oram has extensively profiled Hollins’ amazing journey of rehabilitation, including his decision to return to Ashland to play college basketball at Southern Oregon University, where he graduated last June and served as a team captain. More recently, Oram wrote about Hollins’ return to Snake River to play basketball and inspire adults in custody with workshops he developed through his new nonprofit, The Side Door Foundation. Hollins joins us, along with Michael Reese, director of the Oregon Department of Corrections, to share their perspectives on rehabilitation and the obstacles to it inside and outside of prison.

How wide open is the CFB Playoff chase this season? Tom Dundon adding another local investor to the Blazers bidding group...Dan Lanning offers thoughts on the future of the Civil Ware series and how testy were things between Bill Oram and Trent Bray?

After a testy exchange with Trent Bray at his Monday press conference, Oregonian Sports Columnist Bill Oram joins the show to discuss why the time is now for the Beavers to make a head coaching change.

Bill Oram joins the show to discuss his column on why the Beavers need to move on from Trent Bray...plus we dig into the Male Sack as much as time will allow...

Bill Oram of The Oregonian joins the guys to run through all the fallout from the news that Ton Dundon is poised to be the next owner of the Blazers, is the City/State prepared to pony up for whatever Dundon wants to do regarding the Blazers arena, and we answer the poll questions.

Sports Columnist Bill Oram for The Oregonian joins the guys running through all the parallel timelines regarding the Blazers with processing the sale to Tom Dundon, the roster and basketball staff and the City/State leaders.

The proposed sale of the Trail Blazers to Texas billionaire Tom Dundon sparked a new round of questions about the future of Portland's NBA franchise, including... Who is Tom Dundon? On an emergency episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast, Bill Oram, Joe Freeman and Aaron Fentress explain what we know about the 53-year-old businessman, including what has happened to the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes in the seven years since he became that team's majority owner. Also discussed on this episode: • Is Dundon the right leader for this franchise going forward? • Does this agreement really ensure that the Blazers are no longer at risk of leaving? • What is the true future of the Moda Center? What will it take to make the building a state-of-the-art facility? • Should Dundon just renovate the Blazers existing home or does Portland need him to dream bigger? • What impact will the ownership change have on the current team? • ... and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There has been no bigger story in Portland sports this year than Damian Lillard's stunning return to the Trail Blazers less than two years after being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Though out for the next year with a torn Achilles tendon, Lillard's homecoming raises all sorts of questions about the trajectory of the franchise with an otherwise young roster. Among them, will Lillard be the same player he was before the injury? And given the style of play the team has adopted under coach Chauncey Billups, is there even room for him to be the same player? These questions and many more are discussed on this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast by hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene. Also discussed on this week's episode: • A programming update and a very fond farewell • What Lillard's presence could and should mean for Scoot Henderson • Can Lillard adjust his style of play and will a year of watching help? • A recap of the Portland Fire's brand launch and rollout event at Moda Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The man who broke the Dame news, Bill Oram returns to the show with the story behind the story, how does the roster come together, the CEO of Astronomer said what, and get ready for a BIG week on the FAN next week.

He had the Dame coming back to Rip City story first...Bill Oram hops on the Ticker to discuss how the reunion came together and what it means for the franchise, for the roster and for the fan base.

It's all about Damian Lillard returning to the Blazers...the guys analyze it from every angle they could find...Bill Oram who broke the story joins them for the Ticker in hour 3....and what will this team look like when Dame finally takes the floor are rehabbing is repaired Achilles tendon.

Before the NBA's free agency period even began, the Portland Trail Blazers had already addressed two of their biggest offseason questions by jettisoning Deandre Ayton and trading away Anfernee Simons. By moving off the high-dollar contracts of two veteran players who no longer fit the team's timeline or identity, general manager Joe Cronin has cleared the runway for the team's young core to either sink or swim.On this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast, hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene react to the Blazers flurry of swift and decisive moves. Also discussed on the episode:• Can the Blazers complete the sweep and find a taker for Jerami Grant, as well?• Is Jrue Holiday really unhappy about being traded to Portland?• Why drafting Yang Hansen was either brilliant or brainless• How Portland's WNBA franchise turned a negative into a positive with its front-office shakeup• Do the hosts like Texas State as the final addition to the reimagined Pac-12? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports Columnist for The Oregonian, Bill Oram returns to the show with thoughts on what the Anfernee Simons indicates to him, how much more activity we should expect from Joe Cronin this offseason, and what would be a win for the Blazers in the Draft tonight.

After recapping the 11th Annual FAN Golf Classic, they dive head first into the Anfernee Simons trade, is Jrue here for a while, what does it mean for Scoot....will they keep or deal the 11th pick in tonight's draft and what should be next on Cronin's priority list. Plus visits from Eric Gundersen and Bill Oram.

Bill Oram hops on to share his thoughts on the Blazers plans for Scoot and the Draft....Stat or Story and what are hoping and expecting the Blazers to do with the #11 pick in tonight's Draft?

The revelation that Portland's WNBA team seems to be moving toward resurrecting the ‘Fire' — the name of the team's predecessor from 2000-02 — has sparked much conversation and debate, that is as true on the Oregonian Sports Podcast as it is on social media. Bill Oram argues that the Fire isn't a good enough name to offset the various ways it is problematic, while Brenna Greene of KOIN argues that it's a nostalgia play that resonates with fans. Who is right? Listen to the episode to decide for yourself. Also discussed on this week's podcast: • If not the Fire, what brand identity should the WNBA franchise have landed on? • Brenna is home from Omaha, where the Beavers disappointed in the Men's College World Series • Why OSU's season bodes well for the school's future • Does Indiana's push for an NBA title give hope to the Blazers? • Bill dishes on the $10 billion sale of the Lakers • ... and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ada Gallagher was an artsy kid who joined the track team at Portland’s McDaniel High School at the urging of her friends. It turns out, not only was she was good at running, she also enjoyed it. Last year, Gallagher won first place in the 200-meter race at the Class 6A state track meet. Earlier this year, Fox News posted a video of her performance in a 400-meter race at a meet. The national attention came because Ada is a member of a very small but controversial population: a transgender female athlete. In February, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” that aimed to ban transgender women from competing in girls and women’s sports. After Ada’s win in the 400, the Trump administration launched an investigation into Portland Public Schools and the Oregon School Activities Association for allegedly violating Title IX. Bill Oram, sports reporter at the Oregonian, and Ada Gallagher join us to talk about what it has been like to be at the center of national attention, and why she and her family are choosing to leave the country.

For a school that hasn't caught much in the way of a break when it comes to sports lately, you have to say fortune is shining on Oregon State going into the College World Series. Not only are the eighth-seeded Beavers riding tons of momentum after smashing Florida State in the third game of their Super Regional on Sunday, they enter the eight-team field in Omaha with perhaps the most favorable path to the championship series. They are the highest-seeded team in the top half of the bracket, while No. 3 overall seed Arkansas and 6-seeded LSU will have to duke it out in the bottom half of the bracket. On this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast, hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene break down the Beavers chances in Omaha, while also trying to prepare for the regional delicacies of the Great Plains. Also discussed on this week's episode: • Takeaways from last weekend in Corvallis • How Bill found himself watching the Beavers clinch their return to Omaha from the roof of a parking garage. • Should the Beavers be wary of their opening-round opponent, Louisville? • A detour into the greatest high school mascots, just because • Will the Blazers use their lottery pick on a player who started his career at a local Division III school? • ... and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like Mike Tyson said, everybody has a plan until they get beaten in Game 1 of the NCAA baseball regional at home. Oregon and Oregon State responded differently to getting punched in the mouth last week. The Ducks went meekly into the offseason while the Beavers rallied in dominant fashion, winning four straight elimination games by a margin of 50-6 to set up this weekend's Super Regional against Florida State. Was the Beavers' response more impressive than the Ducks' was disappointing? That's the question Bill Oram and Brenna Greene consider on this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast. Also on this week's show: • The most joyful moment the state track meet provided • Was the home plate ruling that went against the Ducks a just call? • Other rule changes we need to see in college baseball • How to plan an 85th birthday party • Who has the more impressive collection of baseball alumni, OSU or Florida State? • ... and much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

National Cheese Day, Bill Oram's Dad's birthday party and dead bodies in the Willamette all discussed this week.

Bill Oram of The Oregonian fills in again as they discuss worst abuses of their media access....Boise St. and 3 other schools officially leave MWC, Sprague is whole heartedly rooting for Pacers in the NBA Finals and hopes Rick Carlisle gets his due on this stage.

Bill Oram filling in for Dirt as Sprague discloses his worst media pass abuses, Boise St and 3 others officially leave the MWC...Sprague is all in on the Pacers...Are the Beavers rolling to Omaha...what should the Blazers learn from the Pacers about roster building...offering up our caddie services to Max Homa...is Buck Williams HOF worthy..the Male Sack and Joe Freeman joins the Ticker

When Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen died in 2018 from complications related to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, it was matter of when, not if, his beloved professional sports team would be sold. Seven years later, that time has finally arrived. Allen's estate announced on May 13 that is has initiated a formal sales process for one of Oregon's most cherished institutions. Even though the sale has been anticipated since Allen's death, it has sparked widespread curiosity — and concern — among the Blazers' passionate fan base, fueling speculation about the future of the franchise. How long will the process take? Who might be interested in buying the team? And are the Blazers safe from relocation? On the latest episode of Beat Check, The Oregonian/OregonLive's sports columnist, Bill Oram, dissects the looming sale of the Blazers and the future of the franchise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The announcement that Paul Allen's estate is open for business and that the Trail Blazers are finally for sale sets off a domino effect in Portland, both for the team and for the city. What comes next? Who buys the team now that Phil Knight has taken himself out of the running? Is there even the faintest possibility that a new owner could try to relocate the team? Those are the big questions debated by hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene on this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast. Among the topics discussed: • Reaction to the announcement that Jody Allen is preparing to sell • Why Phil Knight sitting on the sidelines shouldn't be a surprise • The impact of the draft lottery on the Blazers' ability to build a winning team • The lottery isn't rigged, but it does feel stacked against the teams that need luck the most Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The guys believe the results of the NBA draft lottery not in the best interest of the NBA....what a bad night for the Blazers...the Knicks are legitimate NBA title contenders...some truth for Blazers fans, they botched the tank and there's no plan out of mediocrity until the fanbase demands it...Bill Oram on the Ticker and we dig into a deep male sack.

Oregonian columnist Bill Oram wraps up the Draft Lottery discussion around the Blazers, the Male Sack is full and juicy...and who do we like in playoff action tonight?

But will it be a home run? The Portland Diamond Project has so far struck out on its years-long efforts to bring Major League Baseball to Portland. But now they've got a new site on the South Waterfront, fresh energy from city leaders and a pitch to the Oregon Legislature, not to mention swoon-y renderings of a new stadium along the Willamette. Sports columnist Bill Oram and ECONorthwest economist Mike Wilkerson join Beat Check with The Oregonian to make sense of the numbers behind the proposal, the unknowns (who is behind that ownership group?) and what comes next. Wilkerson, a consultant to the Portland Diamond Project, says building a new stadium downtown could be a game-changer for Portland, the city that he recently and regretfully said was on the verge of a “doom loop” thanks to downward trends in population growth, the commercial real estate market and more. Stay tuned until the end of the episode to hear Oram and Wilkerson make it very clear where their own personal baseball allegiances land. Related coverage: Is a picture worth almost a billion dollars?OHSU responds to South Waterfront ballpark proposalEconomist warns of Portland ‘doom loop' Subscribe to Beat Check anywhere you listen to podcasts to get new episodes each week. You can support local journalism by becoming a subscriber to The Oregonian/OregonLive. Explore more of our podcasts and sign up to get newsletters for the latest news and top stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Oram of The Oregonian checks in for The Daily Ticker to talk about the latest renderings of a potential MLB stadium on the Portland waterfront. Do you think it will ever happen?