The Portland Trail Blazers fired their newly hired play-by-play broadcaster, Braiden Bell, on the same day he was announced after offensive social media posts from his teenage years came to light. The team acted swiftly, stating the posts violated their core values and policies.
The posts were made in 2012 and 2013, when Bell was believed to be 15 years old. They were discovered on an account he still used for sports commentary. One post from December 2012 read, "I'm not racist at all.. But not gonna lie.. Asian people p*** me off! Hahaha #honest." Another from November 2012 said, "Gotta give a shoutout to all the big girls out there and those closet whores." Additional posts included a "slut alert" comment and a tweet about "Girls these nights."
By the end of 2015, Bell's social media activity had shifted almost entirely to sports topics. But the damage from the earlier posts was done. The Trail Blazers organization felt they could not stand by the hire.
In a firm statement, the team made its position clear. "The Portland Trail Blazers have zero tolerance for racist, sexist, or harmful comments," they said. They called Bell's posts a "clear violation of team and league policies, as well as our values and expectations." The statement emphasized the high character standard required for the play-by-play role, a legacy they said they "hold without exception."
The team also apologized to fans, admitting, "We did not meet our own bar in this process." They pledged to find a new broadcaster who reflects the values of making everyone in Rip City feel "welcome and safe." Bell had been hired to replace Kevin Calabro, who left for the Minnesota Timberwolves after reportedly being offered a "subprime" contract to stay in Portland.
This incident adds to a period of significant change for the franchise. New owner Tom Dundon oversaw layoffs of more than 70 staffers this offseason. The team also saw assistant coach Tiago Splitter leave for the Chicago Bulls, leading to the hiring of Micah Nori. In late June, Portland traded Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to the Memphis Grizzlies.
On the court, however, the team is finding a strong rhythm.
The Trail Blazers must now restart their search for a permanent play-by-play voice. The team's statement committed to "do better" in the selection process. This quick reversal highlights the increased scrutiny on public figures' digital histories. For a franchise working to stabilize its operations, it represents another unexpected disruption. Yet the team's strong play, led by veteran Damian Lillard, offers a positive counterpoint on the court as they handle this latest challenge.
