Portland Trail Blazers Sustainability Essay

This day and age, change has become the new norm that shapes and develops the business world and global economy. A rising topic that has shepherd the direction of innovation is climate change and environmental awareness. The sustainability of a company encompasses their ability to manage social and environmental risks, obligations and opportunities. This concept is important for managers and to understand and implement because of government regulations and potential cost efficiency. In Oregon, there are numerous companies that express the importance of being sustainable. Located in the state’s capital is one of the nation's pioneers in sustainability for the sports world. The Portland Trail Blazers exemplify accountability of their own sustainability

For this reason, they possess a large amount of clout when it comes to educating their audience on ways to enhance their own sustainable lifestyles. They are already involved in league wide events that promote environmental awareness and have found ways to create a positive impact in the environmental protection community. The Blazers currently take part in a league wide event known as the NBA's annual "Green Games". This event consists of five games spaced out over the course of the entire season with an individualized environmental theme attached to each game. The first game takes place in November and the next four games occur from January to April with one game in each month. These home games covered the topics of water, transportation, food, waste and energy and along with fun activities to engage their fan base and create a joyful learning experience. In order to let Blazers fans outside the arena know that these games are taking place, the Moda Center's LED roof halo lights are changed from the typical red to a bright green that can be seen for miles. The Blazers identifies these games as their "most fan-connected opportunity to spotlight [their] organization's commitment to sustainability and that of the entire NBA" (Stout, 2016 para. 2). Not only do those in attendance receive information to improve their personal sustainability, but funds are raised in support of five local non-profit environmental organizations that relate to the topic of that night. Funds are generated through fun raffles, purchases that occur during the game, and a silent auction that takes place in the main concourse of the arena. A big part of each of these games are the sponsorships of the fan activities by businesses like Uber, Papa Murphy's, and Wells Fargo where they make a commitment to restoring different aspects of the environment based on the area of