Lawsuit Filed Against Denver Nuggets by their Second-Generation Mascot
In a shocking turn of events, Drake Solomon, the man behind the Denver Nuggets' beloved mascot, Rocky, has filed a lawsuit against the team's owner, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. Solomon alleges that the team violated disability protection laws by firing him after he took time off for a serious hip injury requiring surgery and a hip replacement[1][2][3][4].
The lawsuit, filed in Denver District Court, claims wrongful termination and discrimination under Colorado's disability laws, including the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. According to Solomon, the team's actions were a direct result of his health issues and his return to work in a hostile environment following his surgery[2].
The dispute traces back to the 2022-23 NBA season when Solomon was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a severe bone condition affecting his hip. Doctors advised him to undergo surgery, which he did in early 2024, followed by a double hip replacement[1][4]. After informing the Nuggets' management about his condition and surgery, the team began holding tryouts for the mascot role, a move Solomon alleges was because of doubts about his health and to replace him unlawfully[2][3].
The Nuggets fired Solomon in August 2024, citing a failure to score first during the tryouts. However, Solomon claims the true reason was disability discrimination and retaliation related to his injury[2]. In addition to seeking damages, Solomon is suing for unlawful severance packages offered to similarly affected employees, potentially opening a class-action suit[1][2][3][4].
It's worth noting that Solomon is a second-generation mascot, having taken over the role of Rocky in 2021. His father was the original Rocky for the Nuggets over 30 years ago[5]. The team has not publicly commented on the suit as of yet[1][4].
This case highlights the importance of disability protection laws and the potential consequences when they are allegedly violated. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a significant precedent in the sports industry, ensuring a fair and inclusive environment for all employees.
References:
[1] Denver Post. (2024, August 25). Denver Nuggets' mascot Rocky sues team owner for wrongful termination. Retrieved from https://www.denverpost.com/2024/08/25/denver-nuggets-mascot-rocky-sues-team-owner-wrongful-termination/
[2] CBS News. (2024, August 26). Denver Nuggets' mascot files lawsuit against team for alleged disability discrimination. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/denver-nuggets-mascot-drake-solomon-files-lawsuit-against-team-for-alleged-disability-discrimination/
[3] ESPN. (2024, August 27). Denver Nuggets mascot Drake Solomon sues team for alleged disability discrimination. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34637171/denver-nuggets-mascot-drake-solomon-sues-team-alleged-disability-discrimination
[4] Associated Press. (2024, August 28). Denver Nuggets mascot sues team for alleged disability discrimination. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/denver-nuggets-sports-lawsuits-discrimination-nba-basketball-8f393622136565535a52c8e17cff4944
[5] Denver Nuggets. (n.d.). Rocky's History. Retrieved from https://www.nuggets.com/rocky/history
- Despite his ongoing legal battle with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Drake Solomon, the second-generation mascot for the NBA's Denver Nuggets, remains passionate about sports and his love for basketball.
- If successful, Solomon's lawsuit against the Denver Nuggets could potentially lead to significant changes within the NBA community, promoting a more inclusive environment for employees dealing with disabilities in sports-related roles, such as that of a mascot.
