The Portland Trailblazers have hired long-time NBA and college broadcaster Kevin Calabro as their new play-by-play guy for the 2016-17 season, the team announced today.
Calabro spent 21 years with the Seattle Supersonics before they left for Oklahoma City, and recently spent time with the Pac-12 Networks, Westwood One, TNT, ESPN Radio, TBS, NBA TV, and more.
He will replace fan-favorite Mike Barrett, who was fired by the team, along with analyst Mike Rice, after 13 years calling games.
“It’s not often you get the chance to add someone of Kevin’s talent level to an organization, and we’re thrilled that he will lead our broadcast team as the new play-by-play announcer,” Blazers President and CEO Chris McGowan said. “Kevin won’t be a stranger to Trail Blazers fans thanks to his deep roots in the Pacific Northwest, and his impressive career as a national broadcast voice for NBA and NCAA basketball.”
Calabro began as play-by-play announcer in 1983-84 with the former Kansas City Kings, now the Sacramento Kings. A native of Indiana and graduate of “the greatest basketball factory in the country, Butler University,” he has been honored by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association as “Sportscaster of the Year” for the state of Washington in 1997, 2000-2003 and again in 2006.
“I’m excited to join a great organization like the Trail Blazers that’s committed to excellence; is led by a devoted owner in Paul Allen; and is supported by the most passionate fans anywhere in the country,” said Calabro in a statement. “With two young stars in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, a great group of teammates and a terrific coach like Terry Stotts, the Trail Blazers have an incredibly bright future. I consider it a privilege to live and work in the Pacific Northwest, and look forward to becoming part of this franchise and the greater Portland community.”
When the Sonics left Seattle, Calabro decided not to follow the team because of his roots in the Pacific Northwest. He has called games for the Seattle Sounders FC and hosted his own radio show on 710 ESPN Radio in Seattle.
Portland announced on June 15 that they would be parting ways with Barrett and Rice, along with radio analyst Antonio Harvey. As a result, Brian Wheeler will now broadcast games on the radio by himself. The team has not yet announced a replacement for Rice.
Read Portland’s press release HERE.
