DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) – Former Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson filed a lawsuit against the team this week.
According to the lawsuit filed in a Dallas County court on Tuesday, Nelson alleges that Mav’s owner Mark Cuban fired him last offseason for what he believes was in retaliation for reporting to the Cuban that a top-level Mavericks executive allegedly sexually assaulted and harassed a job applicant.
Nelson claimed Cuban offered him $52 million to recant a wrongful termination claim and signed a confidentiality statement that includes the allegations.
The suit names the executive as Cuban’s “right-hand person” Jason Lutin who still works for the Mavericks.
The lawsuit claims Lutin poses an ongoing threat to Mavs employees and players and includes a claim that Lutin allegedly assaulted Nelson’s nephew during an All Star Weekend in Chicago in 2020.
Cuban disputes the allegations.
He issued this statement to our media partner WFAA TV:
The filing is full of lies and is ridiculous. The NBA is and was fully aware of our investigation into Mr. Nelson and his claims. They fully supported our conclusion that the only person to violate the Mavs and NBA policies was Mr. Nelson, and they were fully supportive of our decision to terminate Mr. Nelson, I can only guess that this is sour grapes and a way to try and get back at us.”
Cuban fired Nelson after 24 years with the franchise. Nelson’s father, Don Nelson, served as the Maverick’s coach and general manager from 1997-2005.
The Mavs are no stranger to these types of allegations.
In 2018, the organization made a number of workplace changes after allegations of “misogyny and predatory sexual behavior” in the company prompted a seven month investigation.
In July 2020, the team faced another accusation of sexual assault. A Sports Illustrated report included an allegation from a woman who claimed a Mavs executive assault her in a hotel room in July of 2019.
The Mav’s disputed her claim and said the company conducted a thorough investigation that ultimately ended with the team determining “that there was not sufficient basis to support the allegations.”
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