Longtime Portland Trail Blazers broadcaster Kevin Calabro is officially out, reportedly walking away because the team offered him a contract he openly slammed as “subprime.” This isn’t just about a new voice on the airwaves, folks; it’s a direct shot at new team owner Tom Dundon, whose wealth was famously built on controversial subprime loans in the auto industry. Yikes.
The Broadcast Booth Is Collapsing, Not Just Calabro Leaving
This “subprime” bombshell from Calabro comes on the heels of major shake-ups for the Blazers. The organization made headlines back in May for laying off around 70 people as part of a big restructuring under Dundon. Now, it’s the broadcast team taking a hit. Joe Freeman from The Oregonian reported Calabro’s departure, but he wasn’t alone. Forbes’ Maury Brown dropped the news that TV analyst Michael Holton, statistician Tom Haberstroh, and TV hosts Neil Everett and Jamie Hudson have all been let go, too. This is a full-blown purge of the talent bringing games to fans. The Blazers released a statement saying they’re “making changes for the upcoming season” to “evolve with the changes in the broadcast industry” and “become more efficient.” While they promise play-by-play radio broadcasts will continue, they won’t be television simulcasts. What a mess, right?
“Subprime” Is The Ultimate Burn on Tom Dundon
Calabro made it crystal clear to Freeman that he is absolutely not retiring. He simply needed a new contract and called the offer “subprime.” That’s a brutal, pointed jab at Dundon, whose fortune largely came from offering these types of high-risk loans to borrowers with lower credit scores who wouldn’t qualify for typical credit. It’s a move that carries a lot of baggage and often predatory connotations. Calabro, who had been with the Blazers since 2016, except for a season off with family in 2020-2021, basically told the world the team’s new boss is trying to lowball him with the same kind of deal he built his empire on. That’s a level of public dissension you don’t often see, and it speaks volumes about the situation in Rip City right now.
Calabro’s got conversations scheduled with other NBA teams already, looking for new opportunities. He seems ready for the next chapter. He even shared some good vibes about his time there, saying, “I feel great about it [leaving Portland]. I was grateful to have one of 30 jobs in the league and work so close to my home in Seattle. I’ll always be a part of Blazers history. I made some great memories and some great friends.” It’s tough to see a pro like Calabro, who’s been a voice for so many fans and lived so close to the Emerald City, be forced out like this. It’s going to be wild to see who the Blazers bring in, and what other NBA team Calabro lands with next. This whole situation just screams drama, and the season hasn’t even started.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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