Joe Freeman, the Blazers beat writer at The Oregonian says Kevin Calabro has decided to leave the Portland team as its lead play-by-play man. Here's the social media post:
"Kevin Calabro tells me has decided to step away from Blazers broadcasting and will no longer call games for Portland. The team and its veteran play-by-play man had been in discussions on a new contract, but he called the offers "subprime" and he has decided to move on."
Calabro is the beloved former Sonics announcer and says he will be looking for a new NBA role behind the mike. He also did a stint on KIRO radio drive time afternoon sports talk way back in the day.
Calabro's comment: “Easy decision. Not worth my time,” Calabro said. “Which is sad because it’s a great roster and the people there are great.”
His decision comes after much maligned new owner Tom Dundon ousted four announcers Tuesday, including Neil Everett, who came over from ESPN L.A. and Michael Holton.
A loyal reader points out that John Forslund was previously knocked out as the Carolina Hurricanes hockey announcer by this same new Blazers boss who owns the Carolina team. That led Forslund to the Kraken.
More from Front Office Sports:
The use of the word "subprime" here by KC is gold by him. Dundon FYI his business is in subprime lending. This is getting real ugly real quick down there and a lot of folks in Seattle are going to start having to pay attention to this because it will impact the timeline for NBA expansion potentially
ReplyDeleteYes, a nice left hook before leaving! Good update. I agree, clouds are getting murky. This is one time I would send Daniels to PDX and work with KATU on this budding mess. Poker anyone? Chauncey?
DeleteDaniels could definitely lend some of his experience and knowledge to KATU to help them cover this significant story. Many KOMO viewers may even be interested in it given that Portland is nearby and for any implications the developments down there could have on Seattle's efforts to bring the Sonics back.
DeleteFirst, Wayne, LOL on your comment about poker and Chauncey Billups, nice job. Seriously though, the head coach position has been another area where Dundon has exhibited this same kind of behavior and it so happened to have similar results to what just happened with Calabro - the HC, who had been filling in for Billups, said thanks but no thanks and went elsewhere. Which leads me to this. I am in full agreement with both you and IDC on Daniels. This would be a good time for KATU to perhaps bring him in if for no other reason than to help provide the KATU on-the-ground reporters in Portland who are covering this additional background information on the subject which hopefully can do two things for the station - one, separate them from the competition (and provide their promotions guys more ads they can run touting their news product) and two, put KATU and their reporters in the best position if they get a chance which hopefully will happen at a future date to ask the NBA's commissioner some real hard questions, questions which I feel he deserves to be asked. It should be noted that KATU is the Blazer TV partner but if the team is going to completely gut the broadcast like they did, KATU really should not worry about angering Dundon and the team with negative coverage of this if they feel the need to go that direction.
DeleteYes, KATU may not want to poke the money-making bear but the Blazers are gonna need KATU more than KATU will need them if this mess continues. The Moda Center is a civic and financial story that needs full attention beyond the personnel stuff. It will be a Sinclair decision for sure. Good update!
DeleteOf course
DeleteCalabro and Marquis Johnson were fantastic with Sonics back in the 1990s. Good luck to him!
ReplyDeletePete Gross, Dave Niehaus, Kevin Calabro, Bob Ronduea all the best Seattle PBP in Seattle History. Holy catfish, Steve Raible also among the very best!!!
ReplyDeleteThis could either be something good, like he is going to work for the expansion Sonics or something bad, the Blazers could be leaving the Rose City.
ReplyDeleteAs things stand currently, the likelihood is that it'll end up being both. BTW, in the interim Calabro has other opportunities available if he wants to pursue those both locally and outside of Washington and both in the NBA and NCAA.
DeleteYes, I remember that Kevin wouldn't follow the Sonics to OKC. If we get a team, actually, when we get a team and if Portland loses its team, it will be a major bummer.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of having that close rivalry. I also think that the Blazer fans are very deserving.
It blows my mind on how Jody Allen, who seems to have made a good choice for selling the Seahawks, could not find a good purchaser for Portland, after all, it was Paul's Passion for basketball that got him into sports team ownership.
I cannot speak for Paul Allen, but my thoughts are that he would have worked to get the Moda Center in shape before the sale or at least, found an owner who was willing to take that on.
As far as Kevin, it would be great to have him back in Seattle doing Sonics basketball again.
Allen did have a good local purchaser for the Blazers. For 18 months. Phil Knight. She refused to sell to him and instead sold to this guy. Oh well. Enough about that though before I derail this comment thread
DeleteI gave you a shout out on this https://mvbarer.blogspot.com/2026/07/calabro-leaves-blazers.html
ReplyDeleteMike, thanks and I hope you finally got a chance to read the Mueller interview. Had to transcribe it in full to get posted. Not sure why.
ReplyDelete