Blazers Cut New Announcer Bell Within Hours After Teenage Racist Posts Surface

Key points

• The Portland Trail Blazers fired play-by-play announcer Braiden Bell on October 2, 2026, hours after announcing his hiring to replace Kevin Calabro.
• KGW-TV reporter Devon Haskins uncovered racist and sexist posts on Bell’s X account from 2012 and 2013, when he was a teenager.
• The team issued a statement citing 'zero tolerance' for harmful comments and apologizing for not meeting their vetting standards.
• Bell, 29, previously worked as a broadcaster for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and the G League’s Valley Suns.
• Bell posted an apology on X, stating the tweets were written when he was 15 and do not reflect his current character.
• The team must secure a new broadcaster before the NBA season opener on October 21.

Background

This incident occurs amid ongoing challenges for the Portland Trail Blazers, including a potential arena relocation debate highlighted by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in September 2026 and the absence of star guard Shaedon Sharpe due to injury. The team also recently welcomed back Damian Lillard, adding pressure to maintain public goodwill and professional standards during a high-stakes season.

How outlets are covering it

OPB and MyNorthwest (via AP) reported the core facts consistently, noting the rapid timeline from hiring to termination. OPB emphasized the team’s apology to fans and the 'Rip City' community, while MyNorthwest highlighted Bell’s prior experience with the Phoenix Mercury and Valley Suns. ESPN’s source was inaccessible due to a server error, so no additional perspective could be synthesized from that outlet. All available sources agreed on the timeline and the team’s stated reasons for the firing, with no significant disagreements noted.

Why it matters

The incident underscores the NBA’s and teams’ heightened scrutiny of broadcasters’ social media conduct, even for past posts. It highlights the risks of rapid hiring decisions without thorough background checks and the potential for public backlash when values are perceived as violated. For the Blazers, it adds to a season already marked by roster changes and arena uncertainty, requiring them to quickly restore fan trust and fill a key broadcast role before the season begins.

What to watch

The Portland Trail Blazers must identify and hire a new play-by-play broadcaster before the NBA season opener on October 21. Bell has apologized publicly, but the team has not indicated any further action or comment. The league may review vetting procedures for future hires to prevent similar incidents.