The Portland Trail Blazers have named Phoenix Mercury and G League Valley Suns broadcaster Braiden Bell as their new play-by-play television lead, replacing long-time veteran Kevin Calabro as the flagship voice of the franchise. Joe Freeman of The Oregonian reported the news today.
Bell’s LinkedIn profile describes his history:
With a passion for sports and an engaging voice, Braiden Bell has made a significant impact in the world of sports broadcasting. He is currently the play-by-play voice for the Phoenix
Mercury of the WNBA, bringing his energy and storytelling to one of the league’s most iconic franchises.
In addition to his work with the Mercury, Bell is also the inaugural play-by-play voice for the Valley Suns, the G League affiliate of the Phoenix Suns. He was at the forefront of the team’s first season, calling all 25 home games and supporting the organization’s community and brand initiatives.
Bell also serves as a play-by-play broadcaster and host for Arizona State University, covering a wide variety of sports, including men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, and baseball. His work includes calling games on ESPN+ and hosting Sun Devil Extra, a weekly show with ASU Athletic Director Graham Rossini, as well as a weekly coaches’ show with Head Baseball Coach Willie Bloomquist.
Before joining ASU, Bell was the lead voice for California Baptist University, where he covered seven sports and created content across platforms for five years. His experience also includes calling high-profile events for the Western Athletic Conference and the Pac-12 Conference on ESPN+ and SiriusXM, including postseason tournaments in basketball, soccer, and baseball.
A proud graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Bell earned his degree in Sports Journalism in 2019. Through every opportunity, he strives to bring fans closer to the action with authenticity, energy, and a deep love for the games he covers.
Freeman quotes unnamed team sources on Bell’s hiring:
“Braiden is a rising talent and everyone is excited to have him,” one team source said. “We had a big pool of people express interest in the job and there was a lot of talent and experience. But he really stood out. One of the biggest parts of this is chemistry and Braiden and Lamar had great chemistry. I think people will be able to see that immediately. We just felt he was a good fit.”
Freeman further cites sources saying that the pool of candidates was large and accomplished. He also quotes those sources claiming that Bell wants to be “visible and approachable for fans”.
What do you think of Bell and the hire? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
