Former Denver Nuggets Mascot Sues Team After Hip Surgery Dismissal
The man behind the Denver Nuggets’ beloved mascot “Rocky” has filed a lawsuit against the team’s parent company, claiming he was wrongfully fired after undergoing hip replacement surgery.
Drake Solomon, who stepped into the Rocky role after his father, Kenn, retired in 2021, alleges that Kroenke Sports & Entertainment violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act by discriminating against him based on disability and retaliating after he underwent multiple surgeries.
According to the lawsuit, Solomon developed severe hip pain soon after taking over the physically demanding role, which included high-energy stunts and slam dunks. He was later diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a condition caused by the loss of blood supply to the bone. Solomon underwent two surgeries, including a full hip replacement in April 2024, but says his doctors expected a full recovery within months.
Despite assurances from management that he would be allowed to compete for his job once healed, Solomon claims he was met with hostility upon returning to work in May 2024. Tryouts for the Rocky position were held anyway, during which he says he met all the physical requirements — even showing other applicants how to dunk in the costume. Soon after, he was let go without explanation. The team later stated he didn’t finish first in the tryout process.
Solomon, who grew up around the Nuggets mascot tradition and wore the suit with pride, says the firing was devastating for both him and his family. “I had a strong loyalty to this company since I was two weeks old on the court,” he told reporters. “It was just heartbreaking, not just for me, but for my family as well.”
The lawsuit also raises the possibility of a class action, alleging the severance package offered to him — and reportedly to other employees — was unlawful.
For Solomon, the case is about more than just money. “We always looked at the Nuggets as a second family,” he said. “For it to end so cold… it’s kind of like losing a family member.”
The Nuggets have not yet responded publicly to the lawsuit.
