PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) – The Portland Trail Blazers have fired newly hired play-by-play broadcaster Braiden Bell.
According to a statement from the team, Bell’s termination stemmed from social media posts that violated team and league policies about racist, sexist and harmful comments.
“The Portland Trail Blazers have zero tolerance for racist, sexist or harmful comments,” the team said with the announcement. “The play-by-play role carries a long legacy of excellence … and we hold that standard without exception.”
Bell had been announced as the team’s new play-by-play announcer just hours before his firing.
“We did not meet our own bar in this process, and for that we apologize to Blazers fans and Rip City,” the team continued. “We will make sure that our new broadcaster reflects our values.”
Bell graduated from Arizona State University, where he called games for the basketball team.
Before his brief stint with the Trail Blazers, Bell also called games for California Baptist University, as well as being the play-by-play announcer for the Phoenix Mercury and working games in the NBA G League.
The 2026-27 NBA regular season begins on Oct. 20, with preseason games starting this weekend.
Copyright 2026 KPTV via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.