October 29, 2003

With the team’s debut in the regular season on the road against the Utah Jazz, the Trail Blazers will also begin a two-year agreement to carry all of the team’s regular season games in Spanish.

Spanish announcer Arnulfo Alvarez will handle the play-by-play duties and Emilio Barrales will serve as the Trail Blazers analyst. The games will be broadcast on MAGIA 1150 AM (KXMG), an affiliate of Bustos Media Holdings of Oregon, LLC.

The Trail Blazers join 9 other NBA teams, all with Spanish radio to serve the Hispanic population and NBA fan base.

“Spanish language radio broadcasts are an important part of our connection to our entire community,” said Trail Blazers president Steve Patterson. “As part of our initiative to reach out to the fans in Portland with our 25-point pledge, we wanted to make sure that the team also reached out to the growing Hispanic community in Portland. I’m excited to bring the Trail Blazers to a new audience of fans in Portland.”

"We are delighted to be part of the Trail Blazer's efforts to reach out to Portland's growing Hispanic community,” said Spencer French, Vice President and General Manager of Bustos Media Holdings. “At almost ten percent, our local Hispanic population has been underserved with regards to quality Trail Blazers coverage, and it's time that Portland's only professional sports organization has a voice in Spanish. Through our upcoming broadcasts of the Trail Blazers' games, as well as through other creative marketing initiatives throughout the season, this exciting partnership is a slam-dunk for listeners and advertisers alike."

In addition to the regular season games, MAGIA will also broadcast playoff games as well as preseason games when available.