Denver, CO Every so often, an NBA team gets sued by the mascot, but right now, that is exactly happening. The man who made a living for a long time bringing Rocky the Mountain Lion to life (with the Denver Nuggets), Drake Solomon, has sued Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) and the team over what he calls disability-based discrimination and wrongful termination.
A Family legacy ensues, and Things Fall Apart
The Nuggets are something very personal to Solomon; his father, Kenn Solomon, was Rocky in more than 30 years, a regular feature on home nights and a soaring ambassador of Nuggets pride since the early 1990s. When Kenn retired in 2021, this was not a change of jobs; it was a ritual handing of the baton. Drake was the sole individual who was asked to audition; Mike was playing the role of a family heirloom as well as a pop icon.
From his start as a trampoline dunk artist until wasting his chance to receive a Rocky suit, Drake’s story was as nostalgic and heart-touching as a classic movie until it all burst into arsons.
Health Setbacks and a Rocky Road Back
In the 202223 season, Drake was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a potentially life-threatening disease that causes bone tissue to die because of the lack of blood supply. He was operated on, and made the attempt again to be with the court properties itself, but only after 10 days, which is a sign of determination but also pressure. When the symptoms reoccurred again the next year, doctors advised a complete hip replacement, and Solomon received one in the spring of 2024.
Even though Solomon had a successful healing process, he claims that the team responded to his comeback not with encouragement but rather with doubt. As the suit went, KSE advertised auditions to fill the position of Rocky in saying that they could not afford to have a mascot who emerged after a major operation with doubts of performance.
Hostile Work Environment and “Getting Burned”
When he went back to work in the 2023 24 season, he encountered what he terms a hostile working environment. According to the lawsuit, the team conducted new tryouts because in the previous one, Solomon had allegedly burned them. He was dismissed in August 2024, soon after such trials.
He contends that this firing was a breach of his rights under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, adding that the behaviors of the team in organizing the tryouts were directly because to his health record and constituted disability-based discrimination.
Solomon further asserts that the severance agreement presented to him was also illegal on the part of the Colorado POWR Act (Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights) as the agreement contained clauses of nondisclosure and nondisparagement, which the Colorado law has banned.
Breaking Tradition: A Mascot’s Lawsuit
There are various aspects of this lawsuit. It is not just rare in the sense that it is a mascot, but it is also imbued with personal relations, family heritage, and emotional allegiance. Solomon said:
They are my life and my family. It was rather devastating to have things turn out as they did.”
On a legal standpoint, the case could not just be demanding compensatory relief, but it could also open the way towards other employees in the organization that was subjected to such advantageous severance policy. The lawyers of Solomon state that this would allow the appearance of class-action claims.
Mascots: More Than Fursuits and High-Flying Tricks
The scenario brings to the forefront how mascot roles, often seen as comic relief or promotional add-ons, carry real professional, physical, and emotional weight. Rocky wasn’t just a costume: he was an acrobat, showman, community ambassador, and healer. Solomon visited hospitals, charity events, and youth programs moments not captured in highlight reels but etched into the hearts of fans..
A Broader Cultural Reflection
This lawsuit is more than a sports headline it resonates beyond the hardwood. It reflects a cultural shift: people in any role, even behind a mask, deserve workplace protections and dignity. The narrative mirrors famous moments in workplace rights history where loyalty, legacy, or job symbolism shouldn’t overshadow equitable treatment.
What’s Next? Eyes on Court and Culture
- Legal battle unfolds: Denver District Court will hear the case, and its ruling could reshape employment practices, especially around severance and disability rights within the entertainment sectors.
- Public empathy: Fans may see this not as corporate fodder but as deeply emotional. Rocky was part of the family history for many.
- Organizational introspection: KSE, a powerful sports entity, may now face scrutiny not just for business decisions but for how it aligns culture with care.
