Steve Patterson has resigned as president and general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers, the club said on Thursday.

Portland has a 24-34 record, currently 4-1/2 games out of a Western Conference playoff berth.

Patterson joined the team in June 2003 after serving as chief development officer of the Houston Texans NFL franchise.

Tod Leiweke, chief executive officer of the NFL Seattle Seahawks, who also are owned by Portland owner Paul Allen, will assume management oversight for the Trail Blazers.

Leiweke will begin a search to name a general manager and find a new president of business operations, the team said.

"Over the last couple of years, we've created some great memories for Seahawks fans," Leiweke said in a statement. "I look forward to creating the opportunity for Portland and all the Trail Blazer fans to have those same experiences."

The Seahawks represented the National Football Conference in the Super Bowl two seasons ago, falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Tod has done great things for the Seahawks, and I fully expect similar results for the Trail Blazers," Allen said