Portland president Patterson steps down

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2007

PORTLAND, United States (AFP) — Portland Trail Blazers president and general manager Steve Patterson resigned Thursday after four years working in the front office of the National Basketball Association club.

The Trail Blazers announced that Tod Leiweke will oversee management operations and will begin searching for a new general manager.

The Blazers' president since 2003, Patterson assumed the general manager post last May when John Nash was fired. But he decided to step down after contract negotiations with Leiweke and team owner Paul Allen stalled.

Patterson helped overhaul a Blazers team which previously had been saddled with bloated salaries and a renegade image.

The Blazers (24-34) have already surpassed their league-worst win total (21-61)...