The former mascot of the Denver Nuggets, known as Rocky Mountain Lion, is taking legal action against Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), the group owning the NBA franchise.
Drake Solomon claims he faced discrimination related to his disabilities and alleged that he was offered an unlawful retirement package. His wrongful termination lawsuit argues that he was fired after undergoing double hip replacement surgery.
In his case, Solomon insists he is advocating for fellow employees. He stated that the retirement offers, which came after the enactment of Colorado’s PowR Act—meant to safeguard workers’ rights—were illegal. Solomon recounts being coerced to accept a $20,000 retirement offer along with a request to sign a private agreement that he felt violated the law.
He opted not to sign it, expressing his discontent. “I wasn’t going to sign it. That seemed rough to me,” he said.
Reflecting on his time with the Nuggets, Solomon noted that, following the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2023, he began experiencing significant health issues, specifically a bone condition that limited his ability to perform as a mascot.
After informing his supervisor about his health condition, he believes that the organization began looking for his replacement, suggesting a lack of confidence in his ability to recover. “It’s hard to think about those times,” Solomon shared in an interview. “I really wanted to bring the same energy.”
Feeling betrayed, Solomon said, “To end this way, it feels like a betrayal. We were very loyal to them.” It’s worth noting his father had also been a Nuggets mascot over 30 years ago.
Solomon mentioned that he plans to be in court within two weeks. KSE has not yet provided a response to the allegations.
