Dundon’s standing was more negative among Portland respondents: 59% said they had an unfavorable view of him, 5% a favorable view and 36% said they did not know.

“My big takeaway is that Tom Dundon is not a popular guy,” said John Horvick, senior vice president of DHM Research, which conducted the poll of 600 registered voters from Sept. 24 to Oct. 1. The survey used telephone and text interviews and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

The findings arrive amid contentious negotiations over the publicly owned Moda Center. Dundon is seeking $600 million for an arena renovation funded entirely by taxpayers, in exchange for keeping the team in Portland for at least 20 years. Talks between the city and the team are ongoing.

Dundon led the purchase of the NBA franchise in March for $4.25 billion. He also owns the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and built his fortune in subprime auto lending. A Trail Blazers spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

His first months as owner have included cost-cutting measures and more than 70 staff layoffs. The team also drew criticism from fans for reducing its traveling party and for not providing commemorative T-shirts during home playoff games. Dundon hired career assistant Micah Nori as head coach on a one-year contract.

Despite those concerns, voters expressed limited interest in whether Portland keeps the team. Statewide, 64% said it was not important to them whether political leaders succeed in keeping the Blazers in the city, while 32% said it was important. Portland respondents were more engaged: 43% said a final arena deal was very or somewhat important, and 55% said it was not too important or not important at all.

The poll suggests Dundon’s public image is substantially negative among those with an opinion, but most voters statewide have yet to form one. The arena debate, meanwhile, is competing with other priorities for residents’ attention even as public money remains central to the team’s proposal.