Why is Portland, Oregon called 'rip city'?

Many NBA fans are familiar with the Portland Trail Blazers' "Rip City" Nickname. But few know the story behind the catchphrase, or how it's come to encompass one of the league's most beloved teams. read more

Rip City. The nickname Rip City is usually used in the context of the city's NBA team, the Portland Trail Blazers. The term was coined by the team's play-by-play announcer Bill Schonely during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 18, 1971, the Blazers' first season. read more

Those of us who love Portland also tend to love our city’s many nicknames – Rose City, Stumptown, Slabtown, and so many more. Often the origins of the nicknames are shrouded in mythology and mystery when, in reality, simple logic explains how the names came into existence. read more

Portland is known as"Rip City" in the basketball world, but very few people outside of Portland really know why. This is the origin of the term"Rip City". Within the context of the basketball world, Portland is commonly referred to as “Rip City”. read more