Trail Blazers Fires Neil Olshey After Investigation Of His Workplace Behavior

NS Portland Trail Blazers has parted ways with basketball executive chairman and general manager Neil Olshey, following the franchise’s investigation into Olshey’s workplace behavior. Group employees allege that Olshey created a toxic, hostile work environment filled with intimidation and profanity. by Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. The allegations of abuse are said to date back almost a decade and have resulted in mental and physical stress for team members.

The Blazers issued the following statement:

Portland Trail Blazers is committed to building an organization that has a positive impact on our colleagues, the community, and the world in which we live and play.

Following the conclusion of an independent review of the concerns and complaints surrounding our work environment at the practice facility, the Portland Trail Blazers organization has decided to terminate the General Manager and the Chairman of Neil Olshey Basketball Act, effective immediately for violations of the Portland Trail Blazers’ Code of Conduct. To those who have been directly involved in that privileged investigation, we will not disclose or discuss it. We are confident that these changes will help build a more positive and respectful working environment. Joe Cronin has been promoted to Interim General Manager while the organization’s leadership conducts a long-term search for a replacement.

The change follows the resignations of former Trail Blazers president and CEO Chris McGowan, after which Dewayne Hankins was promoted to president of business operations.

Olshey, 56, has been the franchise’s top basketball personnel decision maker since he was hired in 2012, after a long stint with the franchise. Los Angeles Clippers, where he held many positions before being appointed general manager.

After failing in his first season at the helm of Olshey, Portland made it to the knockouts for eight consecutive seasons, including the Western Conference final in 2019. After losing. Denver Nuggets In the first round after last season, the Blazers fired longtime coach Terry Stotts, eventually replacing him with Chauncey Billups. Olshey was criticized for the way the team was built, but he insisted that the first loss and poor defense “were not the product of the squad.”

Going into Friday night, the Blazers held the 11-12 record, ninth best in the Western Conference. The organization has been dealing with reports dating back to the summer of discontent from All-NBA protection point Damian Lillard, who also started the sub-season. Despite rumors of a potential commercial need, Lillard recently stated that he is “not leaving Portland” and that he will not “jump and bail out” when adversity hits.

Portland will now deal with the fallout from Olshey’s dismissal and look for a replacement, while the team tries to move up the Western Conference rankings.