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Drake Solomon, the former mascot of the Denver Nuggets, has filed a lawsuit against Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) alleging wrongful termination and disability-based discrimination. Solomon, who took over as the Nuggets' mascot Rocky in 2021 following his father's 30-year tenure, claims the team violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act by firing him after he sustained a serious hip injury diagnosed as avascular necrosis, which required double hip replacement surgery during the 2022-23 season.
Key details of the lawsuit include:
- Solomon alleges that after his surgery, the team held tryouts for the mascot role, citing lack of confidence in Solomon's health and referring to his "record of impairment."
- Despite doctors clearing him to perform, Solomon faced a hostile work environment upon return and was ultimately terminated in August 2024 with no just cause, later told it was due to failing to "score first" in tryouts.
- The lawsuit argues that KSE’s severance agreement offered to Solomon was unlawful and violated multiple provisions of Colorado’s Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights (POWR) Act, particularly citing issues like a one-sided non-disparagement clause and missing required language about employee rights.
- Solomon is pursuing the case on his own behalf and as a potential class-action lawsuit for other KSE employees allegedly subjected to similar unlawful severance agreements after the 2023 POWR Act was enacted.
- The lawsuit seeks economic and compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys' fees, and statutory penalties of $5,000 per violation for Solomon and other class members.
- Solomon expressed continued affection for the Nuggets, stating the case is "just about right and wrong."
The lawsuit was filed in Denver District Court in August 2025 and has drawn media coverage highlighting the interplay of disability protections, workplace rights, and severance agreement regulations under Colorado law. As of now, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.
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[1] Denver Post, "Former Denver Nuggets mascot Drake Solomon files lawsuit against KSE Sports & Entertainment," August 2025. [2] 9News, "Former Denver Nuggets mascot Drake Solomon speaks out about lawsuit against KSE Sports & Entertainment," August 2025. [3] CBS Denver, "Former Denver Nuggets mascot Drake Solomon files lawsuit against KSE Sports & Entertainment," August 2025. [4] Westword, "Former Denver Nuggets mascot Drake Solomon files lawsuit against KSE Sports & Entertainment," August 2025. [5] Law360, "Former Denver Nuggets Mascot Drake Solomon Files Disability Discrimination Suit Against KSE Sports & Entertainment," August 2025.
- Drake Solomon, the former Denver Nuggets mascot, has filed a lawsuit against Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) for wrongful termination and disability-based discrimination, alleging that the team violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act.
- The lawsuit argues that KSE’s severance agreement offered to Solomon was unlawful, citing issues like a one-sided non-disparagement clause and missing required language about employee rights, particularly in relation to Colorado’s Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights (POWR) Act.
- Solomon, who continues to express affection for the Nuggets, is pursuing the case as a potential class-action lawsuit for other KSE employees allegedly subjected to similar unlawful severance agreements following the enactment of the 2023 POWR Act.
- The case has drawn media coverage from various sources, including The Denver Post, 9News, CBS Denver, Westword, and Law360, highlighting the interplay of disability protections, workplace rights, and severance agreement regulations under Colorado law.
