Portland Trail Blazers Cut Broadcast Team Under Tom Dundon

Front Office Overhaul Extends to Broadcasters

This year the Blazers eliminated 70 front‑office positions as part of a broader cost‑cutting drive overseen by new owner Tom Dundon. The move follows a heated debate over public funding to upgrade the Moda Center, placing the franchise under intense scrutiny. The staff reductions now include key broadcast personnel, signaling a tightening of the organization’s budget. Sources close to the team indicate that additional cuts may be forthcoming.

Key Broadcast Figures Depart

After 19 seasons, TV analyst Michael Holton has been released, ending a long tenure with the Blazers’ broadcast team. Statistician Tom Haberstroh, former ESPN host Neil Everett, and TV presenter Jamie Hudson also left, while several other contracts were allowed to expire. Deep pay cuts are anticipated for those who remain, creating uncertainty for the remaining talent. The future of play‑by‑play voices Kevin Calabro and Travis Demers hangs in the balance as their contracts are up for renewal.

Production Crew Shrinks

The TV production side also faced reductions, with producer Greg Fonseca departing to take a role in NBA broadcasting. Without a producer in place, the team’s graphics department is set to be trimmed, potentially affecting broadcast quality. These internal shifts suggest a leaner operational model moving forward. The lack of a confirmed producer has left the team’s production pipeline in flux.

Potential Radio Simulcast Strategy

The Blazers may look to adopt a TV simulcast for radio broadcasts, a path Dundon previously took with the Carolina Hurricanes. When the Hurricanes let go Hall of Fame announcer Chuck Kaiton, the team aired TV audio over the radio after Kaiton refused an 80 % pay cut. No NBA franchise currently runs a simulcast, and the Toronto Raptors already have a radio team that does not travel with the squad. Such a move would eliminate the need for a separate radio crew on the road, cutting expenses further.

What This Means for Fans

Longtime viewers could see changes in commentary style and production polish as the roster reshapes. The organization has not responded to requests for comment on the layoffs, leaving fans to speculate on the impact. If a simulcast plan materializes, road games would be handled from the TV broadcast facility instead of in‑venue radio booths. The broader trend points toward tighter budgets under Dundon’s ownership, reshaping how Blazers games are delivered to audiences.