More than 30 years of family career! Mascot Rocky sues Nuggets for illegal firing of & discrimination against people with disabilities

August 16th According to multiple US media reports, Rocky, a famous NBA Nuggets mascot, sued the team for illegally firing and discriminating against people with disabilities. Drake Solomon, the actor who plays the Nuggets mascot Rocky, said he was fired while on leave due to a hip injury, and he accused the Nuggets of violating laws protecting people with disabilities, according to lawsuit documents in local courts in Denver.

It is understood that Drake succeeded his father Ken as Rocky in 2021, who has played Rocky in the Nuggets for more than 30 years (starting from December 15, 1990). But in the 2022-23 season, Drake was diagnosed with osteonecrosis, a disease caused by damage to the blood vessels of bone tissue and insufficient blood supply. Drake underwent surgery and returned to work ten days later as Rocky. He then underwent surgery several times and persisted until the 2023-24 season with injuries, but the doctor finally said that he needed hip replacement surgery to completely solve the osteonecrosis problem.

Drake reported the matter to the Nuggets management, but the Nuggets management said that due to his health problems and past medical history, he lacked confidence in whether he could continue to be competent in the job, so he would recruit a new mascot actor. Although Drake quickly recovered from his health after the surgery, he was blocked from his work as he returned to the team. The Nuggets have also begun hiring for the next Rocky because Drake's previous performance has disappointed them. In August 2024, the Nuggets fired Drake shortly after the recruitment of mascot actors began, who said in the lawsuit that the move violated local anti-discrimination laws. Drake's lawyer said the Nuggets' actions were equivalent to firing employees who were unable to work due to maternity leave. The sacking of Drake was a heavy blow to the family, which had decades of deep ties to Rocky. In addition to playing the role of the Nuggets’ mascot Rocky, Drake has also participated in various charity events, toy donations and youth basketball programs. Drake has been working in the Nuggets since 2012 and was originally a member of trampoline dunks and promotions. In 2021, Drake's father retired, he was the only person invited to participate in a private recruitment and eventually was hired. "I have a deep relationship with the Nuggets, and it's not easy to stick to it until now. The mascot Rocky has always been the whole of my life and my family. It's heartbreaking to end things like this."

Nuggets Mascot Rocky has always been known in the NBA mascot for his excellent fancy shooting and acrobatic moves, and he is also one of the highest-paid mascots in the NBA.