Latest news with #KroenkeSports&Entertainment
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky the Mountain Lion files lawsuit against NBA team
The relationship between the Denver Nuggets and their mascot, Rocky the Mountain Lion, has gotten very rocky, indeed. Article content The man who played the character for several years, Drake Solomon, is suing the team's owners — Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) – and seeking unspecified damages for an alleged violation of disability protection laws. Article content The Colorado Sun reported on Wednesday that Solomon, 31, had been diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a bone tissue condition, during the 2022-23 season, eventually leading to multiple surgeries — including a hip replacement procedure during the following season. Article content Article content However, the lawsuit claims that when he did come back, it was a 'hostile work environment' and that the team decided to hold tryouts for a new Rocky because Solomon 'burned them last time.' Article content Article content He was fired shortly after the tryouts in August 2024, which he claims violated his rights under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. Article content Solomon actually took over the role of Rocky in 2021 from his father, who donned the costume for more than 30 years. The younger Solomon began his time with the team in 2012 as a 'trampoline dunk artist' before his eventual promotion, which was sealed at a private, closed-door tryout. Article content Article content 'It was not easy to go ahead with this because I love the Nuggets,' Solomon said. 'They've been my whole life and my family. For things to end the way they did, it was pretty heartbreaking.' Article content
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Nuggets mascot sues team for discrimination, wrongful termination after hip injury
A former Denver Nuggets mascot is suing the team's owner, alleging a violation of Colorado disability protection laws after he was fired following a hip injury. The lawsuit, obtained by USA TODAY Sports, was filed Tuesday in Denver District Court. It states that 31-year-old Drake Solomon, who donned the Rocky mascot mountain lion suit for three years, wants unspecified damages from the team's owner, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. Solomon is suing on the basis of disability, retaliation and two claims of aiding and abetting unfair employment practices against his Kroenke Sports & Entertainment supervisors, who are also named defendants in the case. Solomon was hired to portray Rocky in 2021. His father, Kenn, was the original Rocky, starting in 1990 and serving in the role for more than 30 years. Solomon was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply, during the 2022-23 NBA season, underwent surgery to treat his condition and was later told he would need a total hip replacement. According to the lawsuit, the team then informed Solomon it would hold tryouts for his position because of "his record of impairment and their lack of confidence in his health." Solomon says in the lawsuit that he returned from the hip replacement only to endure a 'hostile work environment' and that the tryouts for Rocky were being held because Solomon had 'burned them last time." Solomon, who began his career with the Nuggets in 2012 as a trampoline dunk artist and member of the 'Promo Squad, was fired, his says without cause, in August 2024. The lawsuit states the team later told Solomon he was being terminated because he failed to score first during tryouts. His termination violates his rights under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, the lawsuit alleges. A potential class-action lawsuit is also in play from the severance package Solomon was offered by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment when he was fired. Solomon says it is unlawful because the company presented other employees with the exact severance agreement. .
