Trail Blazers executive Olshey fired after workplace inquiry
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Trail Blazers fired Neil Olshey, the team’s president of basketball operations and general manager, on
Friday after an investigation into workplace conduct.
The Blazers promoted director of player personnel Joe Cronin to interim GM.
The team said in a statement that Olshey was dismissed for violating its code of conduct. The Blazers had hired an outside firm last month to investigate workplace environment concerns stemming from allegations of misconduct involving Olshey.
The dismissal is effective immediately.
“Out of respect for those who candidly participated in that privileged investigation, we will not release or discuss it. We are confident that these changes will help build a more positive and respectful working environment,” the Blazers said in a statement.
Olshey, 56, had been general manager of the Blazers since 2012. He was promoted to president of basketball operations in 2015.
The move comes amid significant turnover within the team.
Trail Blazers president and CEO Chris McGowan stepped down last month after nine years in the position. Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Vice President Dewayne Hankins took over as the team’s new president of business operations.
Portland parted ways with longtime coach Terry Stotts at the end of last season and hired retired NBA star Chauncey Billups as his replacement. The move came amid questions about how the Blazers selected Billups over more experienced candidates and concerns about sexual assault allegations lodged against him nearly a quarter-century ago.
Billups never faced charges related to those allegations that came out in 1997 and settled out of court with the accuser three years later.
Portland’s investigation into workplace environment, announced on Nov. 6, was conducted by the law firm O’Melveny & Myers.