Trail Blazers Fire GM/President Neil Olshey

December 3, 2021

The Trail Blazers have fire general manager/president Neil Olshey, the team announced.

Olshey had been the subject of an ongoing investigation of workplace misconduct. The Blazers said Olshey was fired for violations of the team’s Code of Conduct.

Director of player personnel Joe Cronin has been promoted to interim GM while Portland conducts a search for Olshey’s replacement.

Olshey had made it clear previously that he did not intend to resign or a seek a buyout during the investigation.

The Blazers have reached the playoffs in eight straight seasons — the NBA’s longest current streak.

Their investigation into Olshey last more than a month.

Several of those who have worked under Olshey came out against him in a story by Aaron Fentress of the Oregonian.

“Neil didn’t discriminate, I’ll say that,” one source told Fentress. “He didn’t discriminate who he berated or belittled. Anybody and everybody.”

Former Blazers forward and radio analyst Antonio Harvey said he previously had heard rumblings about Olshey.

“I know it happened because I heard people talking about it,” Harvey said, via Fentress. “But I never saw it happen. I can’t say I saw him do this to this person. What I can tell you is, I heard a lot of rumblings about how he wanted to control and manipulate. If you didn’t do what he said, he would just completely fly off the handle.”

Olshey, 56, was in his 10th season overseeing basketball operations for the Trail Blazers.

He hired former NBA guard Chauncey Billups as a first-time head coach before the start of the season, and Portland (11-12) is off to a rocky start.