Portland – The Portland Trail Blazers announced Thursday that Braiden Bell would replace longtime broadcaster Kevin Calabro as the team’s play‑by‑play voice. Within hours, the franchise reversed the decision and terminated Bell’s employment after a reporter for KGW uncovered a series of social‑media posts Bell made as a teenager in 2012‑13.
Offensive posts prompt swift action
The archived tweets, posted on the platform now known as X, included derogatory references to women and an insult directed at Asians. In one of the same posts Bell described himself as “not racist,” but the language used was deemed inconsistent with the organization’s standards.
“The Portland Trail Blazers have zero tolerance for racist, sexist, or harmful comments,” the team said in a statement posted to its official social‑media channels later Thursday. “Social‑media posts made by our recently announced play‑by‑play broadcaster are in clear violation of team and league policies, as well as our values and expectations. Therefore, we will not be moving forward with this broadcaster.”
Bell’s background and recent work
According to Bell’s LinkedIn profile, he studied journalism at Arizona State University from 2015‑19. After graduation he became the voice of Cal Baptist sports in the fall of 2019, a role he left in mid‑2024. He subsequently called games for Arizona State, the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and the G League’s Valley Suns. Last fall he made his debut on FS1 covering Big 12 football.
Bell had not publicly responded to the dismissal at the time of writing. Earlier in the day, before the posts were revealed, he posted a message of enthusiasm about joining the Blazers: “Rip City — Wow, it’s going to be an awesome ride! It’s hard to describe the honor I’m feeling. I can’t wait to settle into this community & fanbase. My goal is to make you proud every game and honor the incredible history & tradition of Blazers play‑by‑play. Talk to you soon!” He later set his X account to private.
Team apologizes and reaffirms commitment to fans
The organization also issued an apology for the hiring misstep. “We did not meet our own bar in this process, and for that we apologize to Blazers fans and to Rip City,” the statement read. “We strongly believe that everyone who is a part of Rip City should feel welcome and safe and we will make sure that our new broadcaster reflects these values. We will do better.”
The Blazers will begin the 2026‑27 NBA season on Oct. 21 at home against the Phoenix Suns. The franchise has indicated that it will continue its search for a play‑by‑play announcer who embodies the team’s commitment to respect, inclusion, and the proud basketball tradition of Portland.
Community reaction
Portland fans and local media have largely praised the swift response, noting that the team’s actions align with the city’s long‑standing emphasis on diversity and respect. Many expressed relief that the organization prioritized its values over a quick hiring decision, reinforcing the message that the Blazers aim to be a welcoming institution for all supporters.
As the season approaches, the Trail Blazers remain focused on delivering competitive basketball while upholding the standards that their fanbase expects.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
