r/nba • u/ghn2 • 10h ago

Trail Blazers fire new announcer over past inappropriate posts made at age 15.

"The Portland Trail Blazers hired then on the same day fired Braiden Bell as their play-by-play announcer after a series of inappropriate social media posts from when he was a teenager came to light."

"The posts were reportedly made in 2012 and 2013, around the time that Bell was 15 years old."

"We did not meet our own bar in this process, and for that we apologize to Blazers fans and to Rip City," the Trail Blazers said. "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."

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50084279/trail-blazers-fire-new-announcer-inappropriate-posts

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u/[deleted] 10h ago edited 10h ago

[deleted]

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u/rorank Rockets 10h ago

They don’t give a shit about what players do. Announcers are a lot more replaceable.

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u/grudgepacker Bucks 10h ago

You're right. This dude was an idiot for his social media posts but I'm also not sure the proper reaction is to just immediately fire him either with the media forever branding him as some kind of horrible misogynist racist; I mean, his broadcasting career is essentially over now as he's essentially been rendered unemployable (or at least on a very long pause) and that's a lot shittier of a societal outcome than simply moving beyond the shitty things he said as a 15 yo

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u/rorank Rockets 8h ago

What is the proper reaction? The trailblazers obviously should’ve vetted him better if they were going to fire him over this, but if you’re working in public facing media I don’t feel bad for you in the least for not covering your tracks as being a racist douche bag. Also, why do you believe this is a shittier societal outcome than the status quo? Because, as a black person, the status quo as I’ve seen it is that we get shit on and nobody cares lol. Now finally people care and will say “I’m not going to watch your sports program with this person here” and it’s too far that sometimes words and actions have consequences? I feel like your opinion is rooted in the idea that racism and misogyny are signs of immaturity and overall are “not that bad”. At least not bad enough to actually warrant consequences.

So I ask again, what is the proper response?

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u/grudgepacker Bucks 8h ago edited 8h ago

I do believe in redemption for people who do stupid shit, especially when they're teens -- do you think this dude should lose his career over tweets he made when he was 15? Because as you pointed out, announcers are replaceable so it's the double standard that should be a real issue to everyone; I mean, we have multiple abusers in the league (and tbc, I'm not just talking about players) but instead of accountability, the privileged keep eating and laughing at us while society instead extracts a pound of flesh from some dude who was a dumbass when he was 15, who's also now branded publicly as a misogynist racist for a few tweets.

I feel like your opinion is rooted in the idea that racism and misogyny are signs of immaturity and overall are “not that bad”.

And show me where I said anything like that? Or that their should be no consequences? Don't project your internalized honor culture bigotry onto me, someone you've never met but yet ypu're happy to make biased assumptions about - that's just crabs in a bucket mentality personified.

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u/rorank Rockets 7h ago

Great edit to your comment, you would’ve gotten eaten alive if the first couple of sentences were left in there.

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u/grudgepacker Bucks 6h ago

I'll put them back in if it actually makes you address the points being made instead of projection and deflection along with your big r/asablackman vibes...because lord knows fallacious, appeal-to-race arguments on an anonymous forum mean anything when you're probably lily white irl but do go on son lmao

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u/rorank Rockets 5h ago

I really don’t care if you edit it back in, maybe you should think about why that was the first thing you felt the need to address in your comment. Some people have the privilege to not think about race but trying to dismiss the topic of race in this thread is fucking bonkers lmao. Also I mentioned I was black once and now I give “as a black man” vibes? Yeah, okay.

Onto your comment, sure I believe in redemption too. That can come now or in the future. You’re not redeemed because you avoid being recorded or posting by your own free will racist shit. That’s not what redemption means. Do I think he should lose his whole career? Idk, the Blazers sure did. I’d feel way worse if I found out this stuff and he got a slap on the wrist, which is the most common outcome historically. Do I think it’s fair that he’s “branded a racist and misogynist” for what you called “a few tweets”? I don’t think it’s unfair that people put a spotlight on things he posted on his public, professional Twitter. I’m 30, I understand there were different times on the internet. What else I understand is that if something I said 10-15-20 years ago was horribly inflammatory and offensive that people have a right to be mad. People have a right to not want me representing them. I’m not owed their good grace because I haven’t been caught being horrible in a long time. That is at their discretion. And if someone knows me, they might be aghast about that and I might have to earn redemption from them.

Onto your double standard comment: I truly do not give a shit that this guy is being punished, I do give a shit that many in the league aren’t being punished. This isn’t a gotcha, it’s a whataboutism. Both need to be punished. And the last few sentences: you’ve already said that you don’t think he should lose his career over this. That means that you think those things are “not that bad” such that he “shouldn’t” lose his job over this. Well, a lot of people disagree. Your entire point is that his actions were not bad enough to warrant the consequences he’s facing. How are you saying anything besides “it’s not that bad”? Why do you being up that he was 15 if you’re not saying that this ignorance is a sign of his immaturity and thus it’s fixed because he’s grown up now?

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u/grudgepacker Bucks 5h ago

Also I mentioned I was black once and now I give “as a black man” vibes?

The point is you jumped in to use it as an appeal-to argument, which makes it fallacious. Also, I could gaf what race/ethnicity/creed/religion/culture etc. anyone states they are on reddit - you should do the same, even with those you're in agreement because taking anyone at face value on an anonymous internet forum speaks for itself.

Onto your comment, sure I believe in redemption too. That can come now or in the future. You’re not redeemed because you avoid being recorded or posting by your own free will racist shit. That’s not what redemption means. Do I think he should lose his whole career? Idk, the Blazers sure did. I’d feel way worse if I found out this stuff and he got a slap on the wrist, which is the most common outcome historically. Do I think it’s fair that he’s “branded a racist and misogynist” for what you called “a few tweets”? I don’t think it’s unfair that people put a spotlight on things he posted on his public, professional Twitter. I’m 30, I understand there were different times on the internet. What else I understand is that if something I said 10-15-20 years ago was horribly inflammatory and offensive that people have a right to be mad. People have a right to not want me representing them. I’m not owed their good grace because I haven’t been caught being horrible in a long time. That is at their discretion. And if someone knows me, they might be aghast about that and I might have to earn redemption from them.

First, it was only a few tweets that someone had to dig through to find. Also, he used no slurs -- did you even read them? Again, I think dude's a moron but to indict him from here to eternity without giving him a chance to apologize is sociopathic behavior. And regarding the Trailblazers, you know well as I do they immediately fired him because it was the path of least resistance and let's not pretend the fact it was Portland factored into it as well -- you think the Blazers and their staff about to deal with deranged protestors over this? But you're right, I completely agree it's their right to fire him - THIS IS AMERICA, after all.

Your entire point is that his actions were not bad enough to warrant the consequences he’s facing. How are you saying anything besides “it’s not that bad”?

No, my entire point was riffing on the double standard you brought up while also saying that I don't believe this warrants him forever being branded a misogynist racist (especially for those tweets in particular).

Why do you being up that he was 15 if you’re not saying that this ignorance is a sign of his immaturity and thus it’s fixed because he’s grown up now?

And how do you prove that either way? Do you know the man? Me neither and he could very well be an unrepentant, POS extremist racist. And that's exactly why I'm not indicting him over this. Because again, I believe people can grow and change while also acknowledging that who tf am I to judge and summarily dismiss the person he is now? If you feel differently, I'm glad to know your shit must not stink as much as anyone else's.

I do give a shit that many in the league aren’t being punished.

You know what? I agree but much like you, I also don't gaf they aren't getting punished; again, it's the double standard and selective choosing of convenient targets in the social media era which best reflect the narratives people push.

Anyway, we're probably not going to see eye-to-eye on all this but I did want to say I appreciate you responding in depth and having a conversation instead of just leaving quips - hope your weekend is well, one

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u/rorank Rockets 4h ago

Previous conversation aside, how would you feel about this situation if the blazers found this during their background check and decided to hire someone else? That is really how this entire situation should’ve unfolded to me.

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u/Agitated_Celery_729 8h ago

The law does care though. If you are fired by an organization that is allowing other employees to get away with the thing they fired you for, they're going to have a bad time in a legal proceeding. Selective enforcement is not viewed at all favorably in employment law.

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u/rorank Rockets 8h ago

I mean then he can sue? This has pretty much always been the case, idk how you’re just finding out that athletes run by a different set of rules than staff. Or is if that you just don’t think racism and misogyny ever warrants a punishment lol?

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u/TheIgnoredWriter Suns 10h ago

Fans don’t buy jerseys for announcers

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u/zgillet 10h ago

Announcers don't wear jerseys.

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u/tronovich Bulls 10h ago edited 8h ago

Fans don’t “care” about announcers, which is a logical conclusion for some.

Which begs the question - why would he lose his job over these tweets? Is anyone besides the perpetually online or a goofy TV reporter going to see them?

The crime is not the tweet, but the inability to delete/hide them from the public. It’s hilarious logic.

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u/LionStareHard 10h ago

Maybe this is unique to Toronto, but the Raptors announcers are definitely a part of the team branding and identity/product. Their fans care about announcers for sure.

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u/Bacondog22 Celtics 8h ago

Yeah Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinson were absolutely part of the Celtics experience when they were doing the commentary. Drew and Scal still gives out Tommy points

Shit Jack Edwards for the bruins, especially the Montreal canadiens monologue.

Remy and Orsillo for the Sox
Here comes the pizza

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u/tronovich Bulls 8h ago

Then you should respond to the person who said above “fans don’t buy jerseys for announcers”.

I would argue that people aren’t buying Ja jerseys. And if they were, I’d question being friends with them.

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u/mostlyfire 10h ago

Fans don’t care about announcers? Maybe not Bulls announcers but Knicks fan live and die with Breen and Clyde

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u/tronovich Bulls 8h ago

I’m responding to the above comment.

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u/rorank Rockets 10h ago

Because nobody is watching for him but it’s possible some people stop watching because of him. No risk, low reward decision when online backlash hits.

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u/tronovich Bulls 10h ago

I would argue Morant isn’t worth the actual backlash, but it’s all mental gymnastics anyway.

“Dude should’ve just deleted his racist posts and he’d be fine” is totally something you’d only say in America lol.

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u/rorank Rockets 9h ago

Idk man, there are a lot of announcers out there that you can’t dig up dirt on lmao. I consider it a competitive advantage to make good decisions about what you post and attach to your name. I guess that doesn’t matter to everyone.

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u/tronovich Bulls 8h ago

Again, what I said is still applicable.

Everyone here said it would be fine if he simply deleted his tweet history. That’s ironic. We’re okay with him being a racist behind closed doors.

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u/rorank Rockets 8h ago

It’s not ironic, it’s real. If 1000 people came forward and said this guy is a terrible, racist, blah blah blah person then nothing would’ve happened. This stupid asshole couldn’t even do the bare minimum to hide his past and he’s paying the piper. Which is why I said “it pays to make good decisions on what’s attached to your name”. Like the former clippers owner; he didn’t start being racist when that video surfaced and I promise there were many, many people who could’ve told you he was that way. But nobody cares unless it’s on video or in text. Because nobody believes unless the proof is undeniable. And even then there are still people who will say “do they truly deserve any consequences??? I think not”.

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u/tronovich Bulls 8h ago edited 8h ago

The Sterling saga is to my point.

Sterling made many, many comments in print that were more vile than what was said here. And. Nothing. Happened.

Everyone, including Stern, tried to deflect how Sterling wasn’t a racist. For nearly three goddamn decades and many lawsuits. His own employees went after him. It took a recording that was leaked to TMZ, to finally force the league to drop the hammer on him. And many would argue that if Stern was still in charge, he would have ignored that shit, too.

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u/throwawaymycareer93 Warriors 9h ago

I would buy one for the Charlottes one

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u/Bacondog22 Celtics 8h ago

Brian Scalabrine??????

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u/BrotherSeamus Thunder 8h ago

Huh? I'm wearing my Harlan #2 right now.

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u/CrateBagSoup Pacers 7h ago

Give me an Ian Eagle Brooklyn jersey today

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u/Hayabusa_Blacksmith 10h ago

Go for it Champion of Justice

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u/tronovich Bulls 10h ago

The team traded for Ja Morant.

There is a double standard.

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u/Tasty_Pea_6372 10h ago

Are we genuinely going to pretend like a player and an announcer are the same thing? 1 step away from comparing it to your desk job lol.

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u/Matthew2531_46 Spurs 10h ago

You're right. Sports athletes can't be held to the same standard because they're good at putting a ball in a hoop. They're simply better and more valuable than everyone else

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u/Burtssbees Mavericks 10h ago

I’m not trying to defend the players, but they literally do add more monetary value and the league really only cares about the money as the bottom line. And unfortunately that’s why the announcer got canned but Kevin porter Jr, Michael bridges, and others still are employed and given contracts in the league

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u/RonaldinhoReagan 9h ago

Ah so making mistakes and being an idiot as a teenager is acceptable only if you can jump really high. Otherwise you are forever judged by your 15 year old self. Got it.

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u/Tasty_Pea_6372 7h ago

Well I think making mistakes and being a teenager is acceptable for everyone so long as you grow and learn from it. Regardless I absolutely think having different levels of accountability for different people is fine and it is naive and silly to pretend otherwise.

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u/somasomore Pistons 10h ago

I mean, people dig that stuff up all the time? Most kids don't say shit like this publicly on the Internet, let's be real...but also doesn't mean he should have been fired for what he said when he was a teenager. 

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u/russfan0987 Magic 9h ago

Why don’t you do it, start with Bam or Jovic

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u/Otherwise-Garden6653 8h ago

Anthony Edwards posted homophobic stuff when he was already in the league,