Former NBA mascot suing his former team 

The Denver Nuggets are facing a lawsuit from someone fans never thought would turn against the team—their mascot.

Drake Solomon, who played Rocky the Mountain Lion, is taking Kroenke Sports & Entertainment to court, according to Carter Bahns of CBS Sports. Rocky is one of the most famous mascots in the league, and Solomon took over the role from his father, who wore the suit for more than 30 years. It was supposed to be a dream job. Instead, it ended with lawyers.

The problem started with Solomon’s health. In 2022, he was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a condition that cut off blood flow to his hip. He needed multiple surgeries, including a hip replacement, and had to take time off. While he was recovering, the Nuggets reportedly held tryouts for a new Rocky. To Solomon, that felt like a sign the team had already moved on.

He managed to return to the job earlier than expected, but according to his lawsuit, the atmosphere had changed. He said he faced hostility at work and was eventually fired in August 2024. Now he’s suing, claiming the team violated Colorado’s workplace discrimination laws by pushing him out because of his medical condition.

For Solomon, this wasn’t just another job. His family had been tied to Rocky for decades. In interviews, he admitted how painful it was to take legal action. 

“It was not easy to go ahead with this because I love the Nuggets,” he said. “They’ve been my whole life and my family.” Those words show how much the role meant to him, and why being let go hurt so deeply.