Network Investigates KGW-TV Over Firing of NBA Broadcaster Braiden Bell
TEGNA is reportedly reviewing the process by which KGW journalists uncovered and published social media posts that led to Braiden Bell's dismissal.
TEGNA, the parent company of KGW-TV, has initiated an internal investigation into the reporting that led to the dismissal of NBA broadcaster Braiden Bell. Bell was fired by the Portland Trail Blazers on the same day he was hired, following the unearthing of racist and misogynistic social media posts by KGW journalists John Tierney and Devon Haskins.
Bell issued an apology for the posts, which were made between 2012 and 2013 when he was a teenager. The Daily Mail has reached out to Tierney and Haskins for comment.
Sources suggest that the KGW newsroom experienced internal division over the story. One insider reportedly described the act of reviewing teenage social media posts as "creepy," while a journalist from a sister station in Denver deemed the story "out of bounds." Clay Travis, founder of OutKick, characterized the reporting as "journalistically indefensible."
Amidst the backlash, Devon Haskins reportedly deleted his X (formerly Twitter) profile after some of his own past social media posts were uncovered. Bell, in his statement, expressed deep remorse for the language used in the tweets from when he was 15 years old. He emphasized that these posts do not reflect his current character and apologized for any harm caused.
The controversial posts included remarks such as, "I'm not racist at all.. But not gonna lie.. Asian people p*** me off! Hahaha #honest," from December 2012, and a November 2012 post stating, "Gotta give a shoutout to all the big girls out there and those closet whores." Further comments from February 2013 included "We got a slut alert on aisle 10" and "Girls these nights... Smh. #ThirstyForTheD."
The Portland Trail Blazers stated they have "zero tolerance for racist, sexist, or harmful comments." The team cited Bell's social media activity as a clear violation of team and league policies, as well as their own values. The franchise apologized to fans for not meeting their own standards in the hiring process and committed to ensuring future broadcasters align with the team's values of inclusivity and safety.