Blazers fire play-by-play broadcaster for racist, misogynistic comments made as a teenager hours after hiring him
The Portland Trail Blazers once again need a new play-by-play announcer.
On Thursday, the Portland Trail Blazers announced and immediately retracted the hiring of Braiden Bell as their new play-by-play broadcaster. The decision came after Bell's social media posts from his teenage years resurfaced, containing racist and misogynistic remarks. Bell, who previously played for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and had experience in college ranks, was touted as a great fit for the team in an initial press release.
Blazers president Dewayne Hankins expressed excitement about Bell's potential contributions to the team. However, the organization quickly reversed its stance, citing zero tolerance for such comments and stating that Bell violated team policies. The Blazers apologized to their fans and released a statement emphasizing their commitment to inclusivity and safety.
The play-by-play broadcasting position, which carries a tradition of excellence, will remain unfilled as the team prepares for preseason and the upcoming regular season.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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