Basketball

    Blazers hire former Sonics voice Kevin Calabro

    SPNW StaffBy 5 Comments2 Mins Read

    The voice of the Sonics is now the voice of the Portland Trail Blazers.

    Kevin Calabro, for 21 seasons a fixture with Seattle’s former NBA franchise, has joined Paul Allen’s franchise, the club announced Friday. The Blazers Thursday fired longtime host Mike Barrett along with color analyst Mike Rice.

    Calabro’s willingness to make the move will be seen by some who still hope for a return of the Sonics as another sign that a return in the next several years is unlikely. He was unwilling to relocate when the team left for Oklahoma City in 2008.

    “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,” Calabro said in a statement. “With two young stars in Damian Lillard and C.J. 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.”

    Calabro has been a regular for ESPN Radio, Turner Broadcasting and NBA TV, as well as a member of the Westwood One Radio team for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

    Calabro was honored at Seattle’s annual Star of the Year event with the 2016 Keith Jackson Award for outstanding broadcasting.

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    5 Comments

    1. LarryLurex70 on

      Hopefully he’ll still call games for ESPN Radio if the Blazers aren’t involved in the playoffs

      • art thiel on

        I think they’ll make room for him, but I suspect his replacement might have a say.

    2. jafabian on

      Very mixed feelings about this. Kevin is an outstanding broadcaster and seeing him make the move to a longtime rival is difficult. However he’s been working NBA games long enough since the Sonics move it would not surprise me if the League gave him a nudge in Portland’s direction. This all but puts one of the last nails in the Sonics coffin.