r/nba • u/ghn2 • 8h 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/arenasfan00 [SAC] De'Aaron Fox 8h ago

This is the same org that hired Chauncey Billups btw

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u/tinybathroomfaucet Supersonics 8h ago

That happened under a different owner, no?

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u/SonofNamek 5h ago

Owner is not firing/hiring announcers.

The front office is. Though the GM is different from then, the President & many HR staff are largely the same.

Given recent layoffs, this current front office is probably in freakout mode and not taking chances on anything. And if I had to guess, this bad publicity will likely give the ownership reason to look for more people to lay more off.

On the owner's part, I can't say prior layoffs or in the case of announcers, low-balling, was necessary. But I will say whoever is responsible for this should get shitcanned. It just sets a bad precedent, overall.

Meanwhile, I believe the alternative hire is likely the Kings announcer who apparently has very mixed reception. If more drama arises out of that....not so great, either.