NBA team fires broadcaster hours after hiring him over racist social posts

The Portland Trail Blazers fired broadcaster Braiden Bell just hours after announcing they had hired him, as the team was made aware of some misogynistic and racist social media posts Bell made as a teenager.

The 29-year-old Bell was previously employed as the play-by-play announcer for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.

“The Portland Trail Blazers have zero tolerance for racist, sexist, or harmful comments," the team said in a statement. “Social media posts made by our recently announced play-by-play announcer are in clear violation of team and league policies, as well as our values and expectations. Therefore, we will not be moving forward with this broadcaster."

According to KGW-TV, the social media posts were made in 2012 and 2013. One of the tweets from Dec. 9, 2012, stated, "I'm not racist at all.. But not gonna lie.. Asian people piss me off! Hahaha #Honest."

Bell, set to start his job next week and to work with color commentator Lamar Hurd and sideline reporter Brooke Olzendam, was supposed to replace Kevin Calabro, who was let go this summer as the team underwent a broad range of layoffs earlier this year under owner Thomas Dundon. Calabro had spent the past nine seasons as the team's television broadcaster.

“The play-by-play role carries a long legacy of excellence, on the broadcast and in character, and we hold that standard without exception. We did not meet our own bar in this process, and for that we apologize to Blazers fans and to Rip City,’’ the team said. “We believe strongly that everyone who is part of Rip City should feel welcome and safe, and we will make sure that our new broadcaster reflects these values. We will do better."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA team fires broadcaster hours after hiring him over racist social posts