Trail Blazers announcers Mike Rice, Mike Barrett and Antonio Harvey "will not return as part of an overhaul" of the team's TV and radio broadcasts next season, according to Joe Freeman of the Portland OREGONIAN. The only on-air talent coming back for the '16-17 season is Brian Wheeler, who "will continue as the team's radio play-by-play voice." Rice and Barrett have been part of the Blazers' TV broadcast for 11 seasons and "a fabric of the organization for far longer." Harvey, a former player, "has served as the radio color analyst the last 11 years." Rice joined the Blazers in '91 as a radio analyst and "partnered with each of the franchise's three radio play-by-play voices over the years." Freeman noted Rice moved to TV in '05 "to work alongside Barrett." The three broadcasters signed two-year contract extensions last summer, so they "will be paid next season." The Blazers are "expected to begin a search for a new television tandem soon, but do not plan on replacing Harvey." The timing of the Blazers' changes is "noteworthy because their 10-year contract" with TV partner CSN Northwest expires after the '16-17 season. The team "has been plotting its broadcast future for months." Comcast, which "leans on the Blazers as its flagship partner in the region, submitted a new contract offer earlier this year during an exclusive negotiating window" for CSNNW. But the Blazers "have been fielding offers from other potential partners for weeks and it's possible they will move in another broadcast direction." The team debates its next move at a "time when more and more households are 'cutting the cord.'" The Blazers have "entertained offers from both traditional and nontraditional broadcast partners." The franchise has "until July 1 to select a new partner" (Portland OREGONIAN, 6/16).
NEW PERSPECTIVE: In Portland, Kerry Eggers notes Blazers President & CEO Chris McGowan "wouldn't go into specifics" as to why the broadcasters are being relieved of their duties. But he did say he desires a "new perspective and new voices." McGowan: "It's a good time to transition and look toward the future based on what's going on with our broadcasts." McGowan also said that he "doesn't yet have replacements in line." Asked if Harvey's intention to apply for a recreational marijuana license impacted his future, McGowan said, "That's a private, personal thing. It had no effect on his job" (PORTLAND TRIBUNE, 6/16). Also in Portland, John Canzano writes what the Blazers have effectively done is "ensure that they're alienating all corners of the fan base." Unless this is a "precursor to a seismic broadcast shift, it makes zero sense." Canzano wonders if the new leaders inside the Blazers organization "aren't just repeating the same mistakes as their predecessors who flushed legendary broadcaster Bill Schonely, then brought him back as an ambassador" (Portland OREGONIAN, 6/16).
