Ex-Sonics, Blazers voice Kevin Calabro joins Timberwolves’ broadcast team

Calabro spent 21 seasons calling Sonics games and the past decade as the Blazers' TV play-by-play voice.

Sep 25, 2026, 11:22 AM

Minnesota Timberwolves court general view 2025...

A general view of the Minnesota Timberwolves' Target Center during a 2025 playoff game. (Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)

(Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)

Former longtime Seattle SuperSonics and Portland Trail Blazers play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Calabro has found a new home.

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Calabro will serve as a play-by-play voice for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, the team announced Friday morning. Calabro will share the play-calling duties with fellow Timberwolves newcomer Jon Sciambi, while longtime color analyst Jim Petersen returns for his 29th season with the franchise.

Calabro, 70, had been the Blazers’ TV play-by-play voice since 2016 until his contract expired in June. According to The Oregonian, Calabro and the Blazers had discussions about a new contract, but he described the franchise’s offer as “subprime.”

Calabro’s departure from the Blazers came amid a messy offseason for the franchise following its sale to new owner Tom Dundon. Dundon has enacted a series of cost-cutting moves – including laying off many members of the broadcast team – and butted heads with Portland city leaders over funding for renovations to the Moda Center.

Calabro spent 21 seasons broadcasting the Sonics from 1988-2008. He initially called games alongside original play-by-play voice Bob Blackburn before becoming the team’s sole play-by-play voice in 1992 following Blackburn’s retirement. When the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, Calabro declined his contract option to remain with the team the following season.

In addition to his roles with the Sonics and Trail Blazers, Calabro has called basketball and football games for Pac-12 Network and was the play-by-play voice of the Seattle Sounders during their first MLS season in 2009, among various other broadcasting roles. He also hosted The Kevin Calabro Show on Seattle Sports.

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