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National Post

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 When Solomon allegedly told his supervisors about the impending surgery, he claims the team opted to hold tryouts for a Rocky replacement 'due to his record of impairment and their lack of confidence in his health.' Article content Solomon was quick to recover from his hip replacement and returned to work during the 2023-24 season. 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 '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 Solomon was part of the team in 2023, when the Nuggets captured the franchise's lone NBA championship behind the play of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Article content