Judge Adds 24 Former Kroenke Sports Employees to Mascot Lawsuit

A Denver judge ordered approximately 24 former Kroenke Sports & Entertainment employees to join a lawsuit filed by former Denver Nuggets mascot Drake Solomon ^[1].

The ruling expands the legal challenge against the sports conglomerate, shifting the focus from a single dispute to a broader examination of how the company handles employee departures. If the court finds the company used discriminatory templates, it could signal a systemic violation of state labor laws.

District Judge Chris Baumann issued the order on July 8, 2024 ^[1]. The legal action centers on allegations that KSE violated the Protecting Opportunities and Workers’ Rights (POWR) Act of Colorado ^[2].

Solomon said the company used standard severance templates that discriminated against him following a hip injury ^[2]. The lawsuit claims that KSE failed to provide proper accommodations for his disability and utilized these agreements to circumvent state protections ^[2].

By allowing 24 other former employees to join the case ^[1], the court has effectively certified a portion of the lawsuit as a class action. This move allows the plaintiffs to argue that the alleged discriminatory practices were not isolated incidents, but were instead part of a standardized corporate policy used across the organization ^[1].

The POWR Act is designed to protect workers from discrimination and ensure fair treatment during employment and termination. The outcome of this case may determine whether KSE's standard severance agreements are compliant with these Colorado regulations, or if the company must overhaul its human resources protocols ^[2].