Jeffrey Campolongo, of Law Office of Jeffrey Campolongo.
Two National Basketball Association (NBA) franchises are currently mired in allegations of sexual harassment, racism and misogyny. A closer look at the details reveals a broken system that protects the mighty and silences the few. The Portland Trail Blazers launched an investigation into team president Neil Olshey over alleged workplace misconduct. And the NBA announced recently that it will launch an investigation of Robert Sarver, the owner of the Phoenix Suns, who is accused of using racist and misogynistic language and of fostering a hostile work environment by current and former team employees. The Trail Blazers and the Suns have both issued statements confirming the existence of independent investigations that are under way by outside law firms. Sarver has also issued a statement vehemently denying the accusations.
Problems in Portland
It was recently reported that the Trail Blazers opened an investigation into Olshey, who is the team’s president of basketball operations and general manager. The investigation is said to extend to complaints on behalf of employees alleging a toxic, hostile work environment where staff members have been subjected to intimidation and profanity-laced tirades, among other bullying tactics. In an unrelated twist, the investigation also involves the organization’s handling of the 2020 death of a video assistant who worked for the team. Olshey has been with the Blazers since 2012. He was promoted to president of basketball operations in 2015 and extended his contract in 2019.
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