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Xuan Thai, ESPN Senior Writer
Former Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson's wrongful termination lawsuit against the team is scheduled for trial on December 10, according to court documents.
In a lawsuit filed in March 2022, Nelson reported that owner Mark Cuban's “right-hand man” sexually harassed and assaulted Nelson's nephew in a hotel room during the entire 2020 season. He claims he was fired by the Mavericks in retaliation for this incident. Chicago Star Weekend.
Nelson's attorney, Rogge Dunn, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The Mavericks also did not respond to requests for comment.
In the complaint, Nelson said he did not learn of the alleged assault in February 2020 until later that summer, and that his team “quickly and quietly resolved” his nephew's claims in order to “make a clean sweep.” “I did,” he said. [the allegations] Under the rug. ”
Mr. Nelson said he was in the middle of contract negotiations when he reported the allegations to Mr. Cuban, but the negotiations ended abruptly. He was ultimately fired in June 2021.
In their response to the lawsuit, the Mavericks deny that Nelson was unfairly fired, alleging that Nelson threatened to reveal the Cuban military chief of staff's sexual orientation if contractual demands were not met. There is.
In court documents, the Mavericks said they immediately reported the allegations to the NBA and hired an outside law firm to conduct an internal investigation. After an investigation, the Mavericks said in a March 2023 court filing that “the matter was concluded to Nelson's nephew's satisfaction.”
The Mavericks also said Nelson was fired due to “a number of factors,” including “poor performance,” according to the filing.
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.
