Trail Blazers CEO McGowan steps down amid investigation
Trail Blazers president and chief executive officer Chris McGowan has decided to step down after nine years in the position.
Chief commercial officer and executive vice president Dewayne Hankins will take over as the team’s new president of business operations.
McGowan’s resignation is effective on Nov. 26. He released a statement thanking the Blazers organization and its fans.
“It has been a pleasure serving our passionate fans and team partners, and I wish nothing but continued success to everyone in Rip City,” he said.
McGowan’s resignation comes amid an outside investigation into workplace concerns surrounding the organization.
Both The Athletic and Yahoo Sports have reported the probe stemmed from allegations of workplace misconduct involving Neil Olshey, the team’s president of basketball operations and general manager for the organization.
The Blazers confirmed the investigation in a statement Saturday. It did not name Olshey.
NBA CALLS FOR PLAYERS
TO GET COVID-19 BOOSTERS >> The NBA has raised the level of urgency regarding getting booster shots against the coronavirus, telling players and coaches that it is no longer advisable to wait before receiving the additional dose.
The booster shots should be received “as soon as possible, particularly in light of the current coronavirus situation and increasing cases,” the league told teams Friday. JAZZ, PACERS PLAYERS
FINED FOR ALTERCATION
>> Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, forward Joe Ingles and guard Donovan Mitchell and Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner were fined Friday by the NBA for their roles in an altercation Thursday night.
Gobert was fined $35,000 for initiating the altercation with 4:01 left in the Pacers’ 111-100 victory in Salt Lake City. Turner was fined $25,000 for escalating the altercation by shoving Gobert.Ingles was fined $30,000 for making inappropriate contact with a game official, and Mitchell was docked $20,000 for escalating an altercation by verbally taunting an opponent.
HORNETS 104, KNICKS 96 >> Miles Bridges scored 24 points on some high-flying dunks and spin moves, point guard LaMelo Ball had a career-high 17 rebounds to go with 12 points and nine assists, and the Charlotte Hornets erased an early 16-point deficit to beat the New York Knicks. CAVALIERS 98, PISTONS 78
>> Darius Garland tied his season high with 21 points and rookie power forward Evan Mobley had 16 points and seven rebounds, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a victory over the Detroit Pistons.
SUNS 119, GRIZZLIES 94 >> Devin Booker and Jae Crowder scored 17 points each, Chris Paul added 15 points and 12 assists and the Phoenix Suns dominated Memphis.
TRAIL BLAZERS 104, ROCKETS
92>> Damian Lillard scored 20 points, CJ McCollum added 17 and the Portland Trail Blazers cruised past the Houston Rockets, finally getting their first road victory of the season.