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The Portland Trail Blazers have reportedly resolved their television broadcast debacle — for now — after firing play-by-play voice Braiden Bell for past tweets that included misogynistic and racist remarks about women and Asians.
Travis Demers, the Blazers’ radio play-by-play voice for the last seven seasons, will take over television duties on a trial basis, according to OregonLive, which citied league and team sources.
Demers will call games on a game-by-game basis alongside feature color analyst Lamar Hurd and courtside reporter Brooke Olzendam.
Demers, who previously filled in on the TV broadcast, reportedly impressed decision-makers when he called Portland’s preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors last week.
The Blazers reportedly are keeping their options open as they assess their television broadcast.
The shakeup comes after 29-year-old Bell was hired and fired in the same day due to resurfaced posts made as a teenager.
Bell reportedly beat out 10 different candidates, such as veteran play-by-play voice Kyle Draper, for the job, in part because the team felt he was a “rising star.”
The Blazers reportedly considered replacing Bell with Draper, and instead decided to go with Demers on a trial basis.
Demers has called games for the Hillsboro Hops and University of Portland as well as hosting radio programs for SiriusXM College Sports Nation and NBC Sports Northwest.
The Blazers also lost legendary television play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Calabro this offseason after 10 years.
Calabro wanted to return to Portland in a part-time role and decided to leave in July after receiving what he deemed a “subprime” contract offer from the Blazers and new owner Tom Dundon, The Oregonian previously reported.
Calabro reportedly was hired by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a limited role in September.