PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland sports radio host Travis Demers has been hired as the radio play-by-play announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers, the team announced Monday.
Demers is the co-host of "The Rip City Drive," the afternoon sports radio talk show on 620 AM in Portland. He has broadcasting experience, calling 57 games, including 11 playoff contests, while filling in for Brian Wheeler last season. Demers has also called play-by-play on TV and radio for the University of Portland, the Hillsboro Hops, and the OSAA Radio Network.
"We're very excited to have Travis join our broadcast team," said Trail Blazers President and CEO Chris McGowan. "He did an incredible job helping us last season and our fans were able to hear him call some of the biggest Trail Blazers moments we've had in the last 20 years. He has an incredible work ethic and we look forward to our fans hearing him in his new role."
Demers becomes the fourth radio play-by-play announcer in team history, succeeding Bill Schonely, who called games from 1970-1992 and 1994-1998; Eddie Doucette from 1992-1994; and Brian Wheeler, who served as the team's radio announcer from 1998-2019.
"I'm humbled by the opportunity to call games for a franchise that I love, to work with incredible people, and share that with the best fans in the NBA," Demers said. "It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do, it's an absolute dream job. I'm thrilled to be able to live out that dream in Rip City."
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Jared Cowley writes about the Trail Blazers and other topics for KGW.com. He's also the co-host of the 3-on-3 Blazers podcast (listen here). You can reach him on Twitter @jaredcowley.