Former Portland Trail Blazers play-by-play announcer Braiden Bell, along with his attorney, is advocating for his reinstatement after the team dismissed him less than a day after announcing his hiring due to old social media posts. Bell, who is 29, was brought in from the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury to take over from Kevin Calabro, making him the NBA’s youngest lead broadcaster. However, the Blazers ended his contract following the resurfacing of tweets he posted when he was just 15 years old.
In a couple of posts from 2012 and 2013, Bell made comments that are now considered offensive, including a remark about Asian people and another one about Black individuals. Despite the age of these tweets, they prompted the team to act quickly.
Bell has retained sports employment attorney Arnie Herz, who previously assisted another broadcaster with a reinstatement issue. Herz has publicly called for the Blazers to reconsider their dismissal of Bell. In his statement, he questioned whether the actions of a 15-year-old should dictate someone’s entire future. It’s a fair point, considering many people might have said things in their youth that they later regret.
Bell himself has offered an apology, acknowledging the insensitivity of his earlier statements. He expressed regret over any hurt his words may have caused and emphasized that they do not represent the person he is today.
The Blazers stated their rationale for the termination, citing a commitment to zero tolerance for any form of racist or harmful remarks. They affirmed that Bell’s past comments violated both team and league policies. Acknowledging their own missteps in the hiring process, the organization reiterated the importance of ensuring that all members of the community feel welcomed and safe.
In a reply to calls for Bell’s reinstatement, the Trail Blazers reinforced their position, wishing him well but standing by their decision. This situation raises ongoing discussions about accountability, growth, and the extent to which past actions should influence current opportunities.
