The Portland Trail Blazers announce the hiring of Braiden Bell as their new television play-by-play announcer, but reverse course within about a day. Reports say the decision comes after resurfaced social media posts raise concerns.
Bell, previously a broadcaster for the Phoenix Mercury, is announced as moving forward with the TV play-by-play role shortly after the team’s plan became public. Later, the Trail Blazers state they will not proceed with his selection. The reports indicate the posts are described as concerning and date back several years, prompting the rapid change in direction.
Across outlets, the core sequence is consistent: the team’s initial announcement of Bell’s hiring, followed by a quick termination of the process after attention to older online content. The coverage also notes that Portland has made other broadcast staffing headlines in the preceding months, framing this hiring and firing as part of a broader turnover in the organization’s presentation personnel.
