Donnie Nelson's wrongful termination lawsuit against the Dallas Mavericks is scheduled for trial on Dec. 10, according to court documents.
The former director of basketball operations and general manager claims owner Mark Cuban fired him in retaliation after an employee close to Cuban reported that he sexually harassed and assaulted Nelson's nephew in 2020. He sued the Mavericks almost two years ago.
Nelson alleges in the lawsuit that he connected his nephew with Cuba's chief of staff, Jason Routin, in February 2020 to discuss working in the sports and entertainment industry, and that Routin brought his nephew to a meeting of the Cuban president. He claimed to have been invited to A hotel room during All-Star Weekend in Chicago where sexual harassment and assault occurred.
In legal response to Nelson's lawsuit “and a completely fictitious petition,” the Mavericks accused Nelson of extorting up to $100 million from the organization.
According to the response, Nelson told Cuban he could “clear up” the allegations in exchange for a long-term contract extension as president of basketball operations and general manager.
After Cuban instructed Nelson to contact police, “Nelson assured the defendants that there was no assault,” the answer states.
The Mavericks said they hired an independent outside law firm to conduct the investigation with the full cooperation of all organizational employees except Nelson.
Nelson's nephew never claimed to have been “assaulted,” according to the written response, and Nelson's nephew and Routin “conversed frequently” in the six months since they first met in February 2020. They continued to communicate via email.
“After the investigation was concluded, the matter was closed to Nelson's nephew's satisfaction,” the counterclaim said.
In Mr. Nelson's wrongful termination lawsuit, the Cuban government offered Mr. Nelson $52 million to drop the complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding Mr. Nelson's alleged retaliation and the sexual harassment and assault of his nephew. claims.
The Mavericks' response said that because Nelson continued to demand $100 million or to make the allegations public, the organization said, “Nelson has blackmailed individuals about their private sexual orientation, and that they have 'outed' him.” “We are sensitive to the potential repercussions of doing so'' and entered into settlement negotiations.
Nelson remained with the Mavericks until June 2021, when Cuban fired him after the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Reasons cited for Nelson's termination included his poor performance, increased focus on outside business, and “noncompliance with internal human resources policies.”
Specific examples of Nelson's alleged violations include the attempted “secret” sale of the Mavericks' G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, in which Nelson and Cuban are primary stakeholders, and Nelson's involvement in outside business with current players. Examples include soliciting.
The judge in the case is scheduled to rule on whether to extend the temporary seal on Mavericks employees' depositions at a hearing scheduled for February 26.
Nelson spent 24 years with the Mavericks, succeeding his father, Don, as general manager in 2005. The team reached the NBA Finals twice during Nelson's tenure, winning the franchise's only title in 2011, but never made it past the first round. Nelson has made the playoffs in each of his past 10 seasons.
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