Former Nuggets mascot sues over disability discrimination

A former Denver Nuggets mascot is alleging disability discrimination and wrongful termination in a civil suit against Kroenke Sports Entertainment, the parent company that owns the NBA team. The lawsuit contends that Drake Solomon, who wore the Rocky the Mountain Lion costume, was fired in August 2024 after undergoing a hip replacement and that management discriminated against him for a medical condition linked to his ability to perform the demanding physical duties of the role. It also seeks to expand into a class-action framework under Colorado law, challenging severance practices and protective provisions for workers with disabilities.

Solomon, a second-generation Rocky, took over the role in 2021 after his father, Kenn Solomon, wore the mascot for more than three decades. He developed hip pain during the Nuggets’ 2022–23 championship season and was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a condition in which bone tissue dies due to restricted blood supply. He underwent bilateral core decompression surgery in the following years, with a hip replacement completed in 2024. The suit asserts that after learning of his medical needs, the organization began seeking a replacement for...