The Portland Trail Blazers have recently been in the news due to their inconsistent start. They have a negative record currently and don’t look like the team that they’ve been in the past few years despite a coaching change from Terry Stotts to Chauncey Billups
On top of the on-court performances, there has also been an off-court investigation into GM Neil Olshey by the Trail Blazers, who was accused of “workplace misconduct. The Trail Blazers hired a law firm to investigate the claims.
There has been a recent development that will only cast further scrutiny on the Trail Blazers. According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, president Chris McGowan of the Trail Blazers has abruptly resigned, with vice president Dewayne Hankins slated to take over the position.
Portland Trail Blazers president Chris McGowan informed the franchise that he’s resigning, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Dewayne Hankins will be promoted to president of the Trail Blazers, effectively immediately, sources said. Hankins was the chief commercial officer and executive vice president of the franchise.
The move comes shortly after the Trail Blazers launched an investigation, reported last week, on president of basketball operations and general manager Neil Olshey.
There has been no reason given for McGowan’s departure. In his article, Chris Haynes also gives an update on the Neil Olshey situation, stating that the O’Melveny and Myers law firm has now extended its investigation to”individuals outside of personnel at the practice facility”.
The franchise is currently investigating Olshey for allegedly creating a toxic and hostile work environment.
Staff members allege intimidation, profanity-laced tirades and bullying, sources said.
After interviewing employees at the practice facility late last week, O’Melveny & Myers — the firm enlisted to investigate the claims — extended its investigation to interviewing individuals outside of personnel at the practice facility, including former and current employees, sources said.
That process was expected to last a few weeks before a ruling on Olshey’s future.
We’ll see what ends up happening with Neil Olshey in the future. It would not be surprising whatsoever to see the Trail Blazers part ways with him if the allegations are true.
Hopefully, the Portland Trail Blazers are able to come up with a decision sooner rather than later. Off-court problems with the franchise can derail performances on the court, and the faster this is resolved the better.
