Multiple Mavericks sources said the franchise fired longtime team photographer Danny Bollinger on Friday, less than 24 hours after The News published a story online detailing sexual harassment allegations made against him by five women.
Sources said the Mavericks opened an investigation into Bollinger about two weeks ago, days after the Sept. 19 release of the 43-page report on a seven-month investigation into sexual harassment within the Mavericks' business offices.
Neither Bollinger, nor descriptions of his alleged behavior, were mentioned in the report. Sources said the Mavericks began investigating Bollinger when several employees stepped forward with allegations against him.
Four former female Mavericks employees, who spoke to The News on the condition of anonymity, said Bollinger had a history of propositioning female co-workers and making lewd comments in the workplace.
While the Mavericks investigation was in its early stages, Bollinger accompanied the Mavericks to China for its eight-day, two-exhibition-game trip. But sources said when the investigation yielded evidence of inappropriate behavior, Bollinger was told to return late Thursday.
That was the same evening in which The News' story appeared online. Sources said Bollinger was fired upon his return and meeting with Mavericks CEO Cynthia Marshall on Friday. News of his firing was announced to employees.
Bollinger, 50, had worked in the Mavericks' marketing department for more than 18 years, spanning Mark Cuban's ownership. A friend of Cuban's since the 1990s, Bollinger held the title of publishing manager.
