Brian Wheeler will not return for 2019-2020 season

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by VanillaGorilla, Jul 12, 2019.

  1. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2013
    Messages:
    66,303
    Likes Received:
    64,441
    Trophy Points:
    113
    unless you're a professional streaker in which case being watched would be the role
     
  2. Fez Hammersticks

    Fez Hammersticks スーパーバッド Zero Cool

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    28,881
    Likes Received:
    9,530
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Phone Psychic
    Location:
    The Deep State, US and A.
    Did the team really reveal that he had an enlarged scrotum?

    Might as well have said "MC Big Balls" isn't returning.

    Yeesh.
     
  3. dviss1

    dviss1 Emcee Referee

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2011
    Messages:
    29,346
    Likes Received:
    27,156
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Really? I never saw that. Did they edit the article?

    PORTLAND, OR (July 12, 2019) -- Brian Wheeler, the long-time voice of the Portland Trail Blazers, will not return as the team's radio play-by-play broadcaster next season, it was announced today by Trail Blazers President and CEO Chris McGowan.

    "Brian Wheeler has been an integral part of the broadcast team and Trail Blazers family since 1998 and his voice is synonymous with all the many great play-by-play calls over that 21-year span," said McGowan. "We thank Brian for his contributions to the franchise and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. "

    Wheeler, who joined the Trail Blazers in 1998, was one of the NBA's longest-tenured broadcasters with 1,823 games called for Portland.

    "I want to thank the Portland Trail Blazers for the incredible opportunity and honor of calling radio play-by-play for the past 21 years," said Wheeler. “I was honored and blessed to be a Blazer for 21 seasons, and fortunately I’ve accumulated some precious memories that will last a lifetime.”
     
  4. -Ace-

    -Ace- Mostly lurking

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2013
    Messages:
    1,592
    Likes Received:
    1,305
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Lake Oswego
    dviss1, SlyPokerCat and BBert like this.
  5. tiredhunter

    tiredhunter Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    Messages:
    359
    Likes Received:
    453
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Just hope this isn't a sign that Wheels is getting worse. It was a hell of a 21 years, and I'll miss hearing him on the radio, but I'd rather he stick around on this Earth at least another 21.
     
    Wizard Mentor and riverman like this.
  6. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2008
    Messages:
    26,296
    Likes Received:
    19,787
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Selfless Public Servant
    Location:
    South Blazerlandia
    How is that not a HIPAA violation?

    Not to mention a really really dick thing to put out publicly.
     
  7. dviss1

    dviss1 Emcee Referee

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2011
    Messages:
    29,346
    Likes Received:
    27,156
    Trophy Points:
    113
  8. tlongII

    tlongII Legendary Poster

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2008
    Messages:
    16,455
    Likes Received:
    10,935
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Systems Analyst
    Location:
    Beaverton, Oregon
    The only explanation I can think of is Wheels said it was okay to publish it.
     
  9. BlazerWookee

    BlazerWookee UNTILT THE DAMN PINWHEEL!

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    12,797
    Likes Received:
    5,915
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Gear Finisher
    Location:
    Lebanon, Oregon
    Dang. Huge fan of Wheels. The play-by-play guy, and the human being.
     
    PDXFonz, BBert, THE HCP and 4 others like this.
  10. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2008
    Messages:
    26,296
    Likes Received:
    19,787
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Selfless Public Servant
    Location:
    South Blazerlandia
    Or it's a standard clause in Blazers employees contracts?

    I mean, they release medical information on players all the time :dunno:
     
  11. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2018
    Messages:
    6,909
    Likes Received:
    6,780
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Personally wish Brian all the best, pleasure listening to him.

    We really have no idea how much the decision was Brian, the team, or a collaboration of both. But I fully support the franchise ending his role if they judge its best.

    Hell right now Zach is the only Blazer outside DameCJ who's been with the team more than 1 year.

    It's fine to have a revolving door of players: but not an announcer every 21 years? I'm sure there's multiple reasons and it's a touch decision for Blazers Mgmt but ultimately they have to do what's best for the team long term.

    Some fans just assume the worst of management and bitch about everything possible. I suppose that's why fan is short for fanatic.
     
    Hoopguru likes this.
  12. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2008
    Messages:
    116,223
    Likes Received:
    114,265
    Trophy Points:
    115
    This seems like a really bad way to make a decision.
     
    SlyPokerCat likes this.
  13. Hoopguru

    Hoopguru Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2014
    Messages:
    19,591
    Likes Received:
    16,198
    Trophy Points:
    113
    There are a number of young Blazers/CSNW employees probably itching for an opportunity.

    Maybe even Barrett?
     
  14. PDXFonz

    PDXFonz I’m listening

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2013
    Messages:
    18,714
    Likes Received:
    15,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Wow, Ralph Lawler is retiring as well. I’ve always enjoyed Lawlers calls, and of course his rules; it’s the law!

    Both Wheels and Lawler are huge parts of their organization.
     
  15. Driew

    Driew Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2008
    Messages:
    2,824
    Likes Received:
    2,949
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Or he wasn't okay with it so his lawyers were threatening to sue the Blazers. But both sides came to a settlement which included Wheels stepping down as radio play by play with a NDA and a settlement to end the issue.
     
  16. tlongII

    tlongII Legendary Poster

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2008
    Messages:
    16,455
    Likes Received:
    10,935
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Systems Analyst
    Location:
    Beaverton, Oregon
    I guess that's possible, but I would think we would have heard about something like that.
     
  17. twobullz

    twobullz Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Messages:
    2,229
    Likes Received:
    3,108
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Central Oregon
    Since it came out when he missed some games the first time do to this issue, not sure why it is a big deal. His condition has been reported before, so not like it was a secret.

    I did hear he had one year left on his contract and will get paid for this next season.
     
  18. EL PRESIDENTE

    EL PRESIDENTE Username Retired in Honor of Lanny.

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2010
    Messages:
    50,346
    Likes Received:
    22,528
    Trophy Points:
    113
    HIPAA only covers certain entities. The Blazers would be covered under HIPAA as they likely provide Wheel's health insurance. So would his doctors and insurance companies.

    Reporters are not covered by HIPAA.

    Plus he was cited to provide this information:

     
    BBert likes this.
  19. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2008
    Messages:
    26,296
    Likes Received:
    19,787
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Selfless Public Servant
    Location:
    South Blazerlandia
    I was under the impression his employer disseminated the information. If he did, no foul.
     
  20. Wizard Mentor

    Wizard Mentor Wizard Mentor

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2008
    Messages:
    13,835
    Likes Received:
    13,631
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Master of Xen Foro
    Location:
    La Grande, OR
    because nbc does not work for the Blazers?
     

Share This Page