Portland Trail Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey is under investigation after employees have made claims of a toxic and hostile work environment.
The organization has hired law firm O’Melveny & Myers to run an independent investigation, according to Yahoo Sports, which reported that staff members have said they have been “subjected to intimidation and profanity-laced tirades, among other bullying tactics.” Staff members also raised concerns about how the team handled the situation around the death of video coordinator Zach Cooper in April 2020.
Other specifics around the allegations are not yet public, and the investigation has begun.
The 56-year-old Olshey, a Queens native, has led Portland since June 2012, first as a general manager before a promotion to team president. Previously, he had worked in the Clippers’ front office.
According to the report, the firm will turn over its report to team owner Jody Allen, who will decide upon Olshey’s future.
The investigation is the second one publicly known that is ongoing in the NBA. The league is probing Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, who has been accused of racist and misogynistic behavior.