Drake Solomon, the man behind the Denver Nuggets’ beloved mascot Rocky, has filed a lawsuit against Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), the ownership group behind the franchise, alleging wrongful termination and disability-based discrimination.
The suit, filed in Denver District Court, claims Solomon was dismissed after taking time off to recover from a serious medical condition, despite his family’s decades-long legacy with the team.
Solomon inherited the role of Rocky in 2021 from his father, Kenn Solomon, who had performed as the mountain lion mascot for over 30 years. Drake had been involved with the Nuggets since 2012, starting as a trampoline dunk performer and eventually becoming his father’s assistant before taking over the costume full-time.
During the 2022–23 NBA season, Solomon was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a painful condition that causes bone tissue to die due to lack of blood supply. He underwent surgery and returned to work just ten days later, still experiencing hip pain. The following season, doctors recommended a total hip replacement. Solomon informed KSE of his medical needs, but according to the lawsuit, the company responded by announcing open tryouts for the Rocky role.
Solomon claims he returned to work earlier than expected and participated in the tryouts, even helping train other applicants. Despite his efforts, he was terminated in August 2024. The lawsuit alleges that Solomon was told he had “burned them last time” by missing time for surgery and that the organization was “uncomfortable” with his return.
His attorney, Siddhartha Rathod, compared the firing to penalizing someone for taking maternity leave, calling it a violation of both the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act and the newly enacted Protecting Opportunities and Workers’ Rights (POWR) Act. The suit also includes a class-action component, suggesting other KSE employees may have received severance packages that violate state law.
Adding to the emotional weight of the case is the significance of Rocky within the NBA. The mascot is not only a fan favorite but also the highest-paid in the league, reportedly earning $625,000 annually. For the Solomon family, Rocky was more than a job, it was a legacy.
KSE has declined to comment, citing the legal and personnel nature of the matter.
