The Portland Trail Blazers terminated Braiden Bell as their new TV play-by-play broadcaster just hours after announcing his hiring, following the discovery of decade-old social media posts from his teenage years. Bell, 29, had been named the team’s lead announcer to replace Kevin Calabro, but the organization reversed its decision after local station KGW uncovered posts dating to 2012 and 2013, when Bell was 15 years old.
Bell’s posts included statements such as, “I'm not racist at all.. But not gonna lie.. Asian people piss me off! Hahaha #Honest” in December 2012, and “no blacks either. #racist” in July 2013. Additional remarks disparaging women were also reported. The Trail Blazers issued a statement via X (formerly Twitter) and their official channels, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for racist, sexist, or harmful comments.
Immediate Response and Team Statement
The Trail Blazers did not place Bell on administrative leave, instead terminating his contract the same evening. The team’s statement read: “The Portland Trail Blazers have zero tolerance for racist, sexist, or harmful comments. 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.”
The organization acknowledged falling short of its own standards, stating: “We did not meet our own bar in this process, and for that we apologize to Blazers fans and to Rip City. We believe strongly 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.”
Background and Career Context
Bell had most recently worked as a broadcaster for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and the G League’s Valley Suns. His hiring was intended to mark a fresh start for the Trail Blazers’ broadcast team, which had seen significant turnover under owner Tom Dundon, who purchased the team in March and subsequently let go of around 70 staffers and most of the broadcast crew.
The team’s season opener is scheduled for October 21 against the Phoenix Suns, with Damian Lillard expected to return to Rip City. The Trail Blazers have not yet announced a replacement for Bell, who was set to work alongside analyst Lamar Hurd.
Discovery and Timeline of Events
The posts were uncovered by a KGW reporter shortly after Bell’s hiring was made public. The Trail Blazers’ decision to terminate Bell’s contract came within hours of the announcement, leaving fans and team officials scrambling to address the situation before the season begins. The team had planned for Bell to be introduced to fans at Sunday’s Fan Fest at Moda Center, but those plans were canceled following his firing.
League and Fan Reactions
The incident has drawn attention amid broader discussions about accountability for past social media activity, particularly when hiring public-facing roles. Some fans and observers have questioned whether the Trail Blazers’ response was proportionate given the age of the posts, while others have supported the team’s decision to enforce its stated values. The Trail Blazers have committed to ensuring their next broadcaster aligns with the organization’s inclusive standards.