Blazers, Taco Bell To Discontinue Free Chalupa Promotion During Games At "Moda Center"

Sorry, guys, you're on your own for Fourth Meal.

The Portland Trail Blazers and Taco Bell will no longer run their popular "free Chalupa" promotion at games during the 2013-14 season, team sources tell Blazersedge.

Both sides were interested in continuing the partnership, which offered a coupon for a free Chalupa to every fan in attendance at the "Moda Center" whenever the Blazers topped 100 points. However, team sources say that Taco Bell decision-makers at the national level ultimately opted against continuing the partnership.

Portland has been one of a number of teams to run end-of-game promotions tied to free food. A Blazers decision-maker says the organization is interested in establishing a new, in-game, free-food promotion with another company but there aren't any specific plans in place at this point.

Update: A Blazers spokesperson confirmed the decision in an emailed statement to Blazersedge on Thursday.

"A corporate marketing decision impacting local Taco Bell franchisees has eliminated product promotions like our Chalupa giveaway when the Trail Blazers score 100 points," the statement read. "It's been a wonderful tradition for 14 years that our fans truly love. But rest assured the Trail Blazers will find a suitable replacement item for our fans to celebrate and enjoy when we score 100 points."

The end of the agreement happens to coincide with the departure of 2013 Sixth Man of the Year finalist and Chalupa Hero Luke Babbitt -- who signed to play with BC Nizhny Novgorod in Russia next season -- but the two moves are totally unrelated.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter