Portland dismisses new broadcaster hours after appointment

The Portland Trail Blazers dismissed newly hired play-by-play broadcaster Braiden Bell on Thursday, just hours after announcing his appointment. The decision followed the discovery of racist and misogynistic posts on Bell’s existing social media account from 2012 and 2013, when he was a teenager.

Bell, now 29, had been selected to replace longtime broadcaster Kevin Calabro. His departure leaves Portland looking for another play-by-play voice less than three weeks before the 2026-27 season begins.

Posts prompt swift decision

“The Portland Trail Blazers have zero tolerance for racist, sexist or harmful comments,” the team said in a statement. It said the posts violated team and league policies, as well as its values and expectations, and that it would not move forward with Bell as its broadcaster.

The Blazers also apologised to their fans and to Rip City for their handling of the appointment. They said the play-by-play role required high standards both on air and in character, adding: “We did not meet our own bar in this process.”

News outlet KGW initially found the posts. It reported finding no offensive tweets from after Bell became an adult; from 2015 onwards, his account focused almost exclusively on sports. The posts cited in the Blazers’ decision dated from his teenage years.

A changing broadcast team

Before accepting the Portland position, Bell had worked as a play-by-play broadcaster for the Phoenix Mercury and the G-League’s Valley Sun. The Blazers had chosen him as they made broader changes to their television operation for the coming season.

Calabro was among several veteran broadcasters not retained by new owner Tom Dundon. Bell’s appointment was intended to fill the play-by-play role, but the team’s announcement on Thursday ended that plan almost immediately.

What happens next

Portland must now make another appointment ahead of its opening game of the 2026-27 season. The Blazers are due to begin at home against the Phoenix Suns on 21 October, leaving less than three weeks to find a new play-by-play voice.

The team said everyone who is part of Rip City should feel welcome and safe, and that it would make sure its new broadcaster reflected those values. It has not named a replacement.