Portland, Oregon, is a city with many nicknames. You might know it as the “City of Roses” or “Beantown” (wait, that’s Boston!). But if you listen to a Trail Blazers basketball game, you’ll hear a different name. The announcer might yell “Rip City!” after a big play.
So, why is Portland called Rip City? The answer has nothing to do with ripping paper or torn clothes. It’s a story about one famous basketball shot and a very excited sports announcer.
Short Answer
Portland is called “Rip City” because of a famous phrase yelled by Trail Blazers announcer Bill Schonely. During a 1971 game against the Los Angeles Lakers, a player made an unexpected long shot. Schonely was so surprised he shouted “Rip City!” The phrase stuck, and Portland has been “Rip City” ever since.
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| City | Portland |
| State/Country | Oregon, United States |
| Nickname | Rip City |
| Literal Meaning | No official meaning; an expression of excitement |
| First Known Usage | 1971 (during a basketball game) |
| Popularized By | Bill Schonely (Trail Blazers announcer) |
| Known For | Portland Trail Blazers sports culture |
What Does “Rip City” Mean?
Here is the funny thing. “Rip City” does not really mean anything. It is not a description of the city’s geography or history. It was not a planned marketing campaign.
The phrase is a pure expression of joy and shock. Think of it like saying “Wow!” or “Unbelievable!” in a very exciting moment. Bill Schonely said the words just came out of his mouth. He didn’t plan them. The name is all about the feeling of surprise in sports.
Why Is Portland Called “Rip City”?
The reason Portland is called Rip City is 100% about basketball. It is not a name that came from politicians, historians, or tourism leaders. It came from the radio broadcast booth.
The Trail Blazers were a brand-new team in 1970. They were in their second season. They were playing against the Los Angeles Lakers, a very tough team. During the game on February 18, 1971, player Jim Barnett took a wild shot. It was a very long shot that no one expected to go in. When it did, the crowd went crazy.
Bill Schonely was calling the game on the radio. He was just as surprised as everyone else. He needed to describe the play, but he was too excited. Instead of saying “great shot” or “amazing,” he yelled “Rip City! All right!” It was a moment of pure energy.
The Birth of a Sports Brand
The nickname did not become a national brand overnight. It started small. Schonely kept using the phrase. He liked it, and the fans liked it too.
Soon, other people in the organization started using it. The local newspapers began writing it. The phrase became the official sound of the team. Today, it is much bigger than basketball. You see “Rip City” on t-shirts, coffee mugs, and store signs all over Portland.
Origin of the Nickname
The origin is one of the clearest in sports history. There is no mystery about where it happened. We know the exact day.
It was February 18, 1971. The Blazers were playing at home in the Memorial Coliseum. The shot was so impressive that it changed how people talk about the city. The moment is a big part of the team’s history. It is often replayed on television and shared online.
Who Coined the Nickname?
The man behind the name is Bill Schonely.
Bill was the first radio and television announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers. He held the microphone for nearly three decades. People in Portland love him. He is known as “The Schonz.” He has even said that he did not know where the words came from. They just felt right for that exciting moment. Because of his honesty and passion, fans trusted him. They accepted the new name immediately.
History Behind the Nickname
To understand the nickname, you need to understand Portland in the early 1970s. The city was growing, but it was not the huge city it is today. The arrival of the Trail Blazers was a big deal. It put Portland on the national sports map.
The team was young. They lost a lot of games in those early years. Fans still loved them. The “Rip City” call gave the struggling team an identity. It gave the fans a reason to be proud. It wasn’t about winning yet; it was about passion.
From Broadcast Booth to City Identity
For many years, “Rip City” was mostly a sports thing. It belonged to the arena. But as time passed, the fans who grew up with the team became leaders in the city. They opened businesses. They used the term as a way to show local pride.
Now, “Rip City” is a general term for the city itself. If someone says they are moving to “Rip City,” they mean they are moving to Portland.
Timeline
Here is how the nickname evolved over the years.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1970 | The Portland Trail Blazers play their first NBA season. |
| 1971 | Announcer Bill Schonely yells “Rip City!” during a game against the Lakers. |
| 1970s-80s | Schonely uses the phrase regularly, making it the official rallying cry of the team. |
| 1977 | The Blazers win the NBA Championship, bringing national attention to the “Rip City” fanbase. |
| 1990s-2000s | Local businesses start using “Rip City” in advertising and shop names. |
| Today | The phrase is used by the NBA, national media, and locals as a synonym for Portland. |
How the Nickname Became Popular
The popularity of “Rip City” did not require a big advertising budget. It grew through the radio.
First, Schonely was the voice of the team. His broadcasts reached homes across Oregon. He said the phrase so often that it became a habit.
Second, the team embraced it. The Blazers’ marketing team started using it in commercials. The “Rip City” brand became the team’s official identity. If you watch a Blazers game today, you will see the words “Rip City” on the court and on the jerseys.
Myths vs Facts
There are a few misunderstandings about the nickname. Let’s clear them up.
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Myth: The name refers to the city’s rainy weather. | Reality: The rain has nothing to do with it. It was coined during a basketball game. |
| Myth: It was a planned marketing slogan. | Reality: It was a spontaneous reaction by an announcer. It was unplanned. |
| Myth: It refers to the “ripping” of logs (logging industry). | Reality: While Portland has a history of logging, that is not connected to this name. |
| Myth: Bill Schonely stole the phrase from another announcer. | Reality: Schonely has stated the phrase just came to him in the heat of the moment. |
Is the Nickname Still Used Today?
Yes, it is used more today than ever before.
You hear it on ESPN and TNT when the Blazers play. You see it on city buses and local coffee shops. The NBA uses it in official branding. For many young people moving to Portland, “Rip City” is the first nickname they learn. It is the city’s unofficial motto.
Cultural Impact
The cultural impact of this nickname is huge. It created a sense of unity.
Portland is often divided by politics or neighborhood pride. But when the Blazers are in the playoffs, everyone is from “Rip City.” It brings the community together.
The name also has a cool factor. It sounds tough. It sounds unique. It gives the city a bit of an edge, which is different from the softer image of the “City of Roses.”
Interesting Facts
Here are some fun things to know about the nickname:
- The Shot: The player who hit the shot was Jim Barnett. He wore number 33.
- The Distance: In 1971, the NBA did not have a three-point line. The shot was counted as a two-pointer, but it was very far from the basket.
- The Voice: Bill Schonely is so famous in Portland that he has a statue outside the Moda Center.
- The Spelling: You should always capitalize the “R” and the “C.” It is “Rip City,” not “rip city.”
- The Trademark: The Trail Blazers organization has trademarked the term for merchandise.
- The Anthem: Local bands have written songs called “Rip City” to honor the Blazers.
- The First Use: While the 1971 game is famous, Schonely believes he may have said it earlier in the season, but the Lakers game is the documented instance that people remember.
Other Nicknames of Portland
Portland has more than one nickname. It is a city of many identities. Besides “Rip City,” you might hear these names:
- The City of Roses: The most official nickname, based on the beautiful rose gardens.
- PDX: The abbreviation for the airport, used as a shorthand for the city.
- Stumptown: A historical nickname from when trees were cut down to clear land.
These names show different sides of Portland. You can learn more about them on our main Portland Nicknames page.
Related City Nicknames
Are you interested in how other cities got their sports-related names? Check out these similar nicknames.
Comparison Section
Rip City vs. The Windy City
It can be fun to compare nicknames. Let’s look at Portland’s “Rip City” vs. Chicago’s “Windy City.”
They are very different. “Windy City” came from the weather and politics. People say the wind blows hard in Chicago. It is a description of the environment.
“Rip City” is not a description of the environment. It is a description of a feeling. It is about excitement and sports. While “Windy City” is based on logic, “Rip City” is based on emotion. Both are famous, but they came from opposite places.
Rip City (Portland)
- Started in sports.
- Expresses excitement.
- Created by an announcer.
- Does not describe geography.
Windy City (Chicago)
- Started in politics/weather.
- Describes the environment.
- Promoted by newspapers.
- Refers to the weather and “hot air.”
You can read more about these differences on our Famous City Nicknames comparison guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most common questions people ask about Portland’s nickname.
What does the nickname mean?
It is an expression of excitement. It does not describe a physical feature of Portland. It means something like “Wow!” or “Amazing!” in the context of sports.
Who created it?
Bill Schonely created it. He was the radio announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers. He shouted it during a basketball game.
Is it official?
It is not the city’s official nickname (that’s the City of Roses), but it is the official brand of the Portland Trail Blazers sports team.
Do locals still use it?
Yes, absolutely. Locals use it to talk about the city, the sports team, and local pride. It is very common in daily conversation.
What are other nicknames?
The other main nicknames are the City of Roses, PDX, and Stumptown. These are used in different contexts.
Explore More
Want to learn about other city names? We have guides for every major city in the United States.
Conclusion
So, why is Portland called Rip City? It is all thanks to one man, one shot, and one unforgettable radio call.
Bill Schonely gave the city a gift in 1971. He turned a simple basketball play into a permanent identity. While Portland has other official names, “Rip City” captures the heart and energy of the people. It is a reminder that sometimes, the best names are the ones we don’t plan at all.
Sources & References
I only used authoritative sources to verify the details in this article. The story of “Rip City” is well-documented by the NBA and local Oregon historical societies.
- NBA.com — “Why is Portland called Rip City?”
- Oregon Historical Society — “The History of the Portland Trail Blazers”
- The Oregonian — “Bill Schonely and the origin of Rip City”
- Trail Blazers Official Website — “Rip City History”