NBA: Trail Blazers fire GM after workplace probe

Neil Olshey was fired as general manager and basketball operations president of the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday (Dec. 3) following an independent review of workplace complaints for the NBA club.

The 56-year-old American, who had served as the Trail Blazers’ general manager since 2012, had been accused of creating a toxic workplace with bullying and intimidation by team employees in a Yahoo Sports story last month.

Olshey was said to have been at the heart of nearly a decade of actions that caused mental and physical stress to team employees.

“The Portland Trail Blazers are committed to building an organization that positively impacts our colleagues, communities and the world in which we live and play,” the team said in a statement.

“Following the conclusion of the independent review of concerns and complaints around our workplace environment at the practice facility, the Portland Trail Blazers organization has decided to terminate general manager and president of basketball operations Neil Olshey, effective immediately due to violations of the Portland Trail Blazers’ Code of Conduct.”

The team said details of the investigation and results will not be revealed or discussed by the club.

Joe Cronin was promoted to interim general manager while the team seeks a permanent replacement.

The Trail Blazers are 11-11 this season, sharing eighth in the Western Conference. (AFP)