The Portland Trail Blazers will add two alternate broadcast crews to their broadcast of games March 17 against Boston and March 19 against the LA Clippers, both at the Moda Center.
The LegendsCast, the first-ever alternate broadcast produced by the Blazers, will feature Neil Everett of ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” who also does some pregame and postgame work with the Blazers, alongside former Blazers Terry Porter and Antonio Harvey.
The alternate broadcast will air on Root Sports Plus, while the regular crew of Kevin Calabro, Lamar Hurd, Brooke Olzendam and Cory Jez will air on Root Sports.
The broadcast featuring Everett, Harvey and Porter will include a rotation of former Blazers jumping in to share stories from their playing days.
“We are excited to expand our broadcast offerings and provide Trail Blazers fans with a fun and exciting alternate viewing option,” Trail Blazers director of broadcasting Jeff Curtin said in a statement. “Between Neil Everett’s energizing presence and the range of characters we will bring in with former Trail Blazers like Terry Porter, Antonio Harvey, and other surprises, Rip City fans will thoroughly enjoy a unique and engaging broadcast.
The Portland Trail Blazers kicked off their 40th anniversary celebration by visiting Mark Morris H.S. in Longview, Washington — the site of the team’s first game. Original voice of the Trail Blazers, Bill Schonely and former player Terry Porter model two jerseys that will be available for purchase and will be worn by the team for 2 games each this season.Bruce Ely/The Oregonian
Porter rejoined the organization this season as an alumni ambassador.
“I am very excited to be a part of the upcoming LegendsCast broadcasts,” Porter said in a statement. “Being able to swap stories with fellow Blazers alumni and talk about the evolution of the game of basketball for our Rip City fans is an opportunity I could not pass up.”
Everett, who still works for ESPN, began doing games with the Blazers on a part-time basis last season.
“The Trail Blazers are and have been so vital to Portland as a whole,” Everett said in a statement. “It’s important that connection with former players never be lost. LegendsCast is a big step in that direction. Plus, I get to hang with some of my heroes.”
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook). Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts
