Story perspectives

Hurricanes Dismiss Broadcasters Amid $4.25 B Sale; Blazers Revamp Radio

7/23/2026

Summary

Tom Dundon Cuts

Tom Dundon (owner of the Carolina Hurricanes) dismissed Michael Holton, Tom Haberstroh, Neil Everett and Jamie Hudson, leaving Kevin Calabro’s contract uncertain.
The $4.25 billion franchise sale to Tom Dundon led to layoffs of over 70 employees, limited travel for players and staff, and stopped fan T-shirts for home playoff games.
Kevin Calabro said he is stepping away after “subprime” renewal offers.
Micah Nori accepted a reportedly below-market one-year deal.

Summary

Blazers Keep Radio

Trail Blazers announced radio play-by-play will continue in 2026-27 and will not be simulcast on TV.
Travis Demers’ contract expired on June 30, making a return require a pay cut of more than 50 % funded by iHeartRadio.
The team is also weighing Demers as a possible replacement for Kevin Calabro’s TV play-by-play role.
Production staff are empty after Greg Fonseca left for NBA Broadcasting, leaving the team without a producer.

History

Historical Context

After the NHL’s September 16 2004 lockout—sparked by Commissioner Gary Bettman’s push for a revenue-linked salary cap that the NHLPA, led by Bob Goodenow, rejected—the league cancelled the 1,230-game 2004-05 season, noting clubs spent about 76 % of revenue on player salaries and lost $273 million in 2002-03. The financial shock forced teams and broadcasters like ESPN to cut staff and budgets, a pattern echoed in today’s ownership-driven layoffs.

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Tom Dundon Cuts

Tom Dundon (owner of the Carolina Hurricanes) dismissed Michael Holton, Tom Haberstroh, Neil Everett and Jamie Hudson, leaving Kevin Calabro’s contract uncertain.
The $4.25 billion franchise sale to Tom Dundon led to layoffs of over 70 employees, limited travel for players and staff, and stopped fan T-shirts for home playoff games.
Kevin Calabro said he is stepping away after “subprime” renewal offers.
Micah Nori accepted a reportedly below-market one-year deal.

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