Blazers news: Team president resigns amid investigation into Neil Olshey

Blazers president of business operations Chris McGowan abruptly resigned on Friday as the team continues its investigation into Neil Olshey.

Portland Trail Blazers president and CEO Chris McGowan abruptly resigned on Friday, he announced in a statement.

“After careful consideration over the summer, I have decided to resign my position as President and CEO of the Portland Trail Blazers organization effective November 26th, 2021,” McGowan said in a statement.

Thank you, @ChrisDMcGowan ❤️https://t.co/bc34T3qgH8 pic.twitter.com/7HFW9nwLig

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) November 12, 2021

The organization subsequently announced that executive vice president and CCO Dewayne Hankins as its new president. Both McGowan's resignation and Hankins' appointment were first reported Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.

This shocking development comes as Portland continues its ongoing investigation into the workplace conduct of longtime president of basketball operations Neil Olshey. Neither statement from McGowan nor the team makes reference to the probe into Olshey, instead casting the moves as an anticipated transition in the front office.

McGowan's current contract with the Blazers was set to expire after this season. He was first hired by the team in 2012, consistently lauded ever since for both his stewardship of its business ventures and working relationships with employees. Hankins, in his ninth season with the organization, was promoted to EVP and CCO last year.

Portland center Jusuf Nurkic reacted to the news on Twitter, his flushed-cheeks emoji reflecting the widespread surprise across Rip City.

😳

— Jusuf Nurkić (@bosnianbeast27) November 12, 2021

The Blazers indirectly confirmed an internal investigation into Olshey last Friday. After their first round of interviews, investigators reportedly expanded a probe that Yahoo Sports reported “could last a few weeks” before Olshey's fate with the team is ultimately determined.

The Oregonian's John Canzano on Friday shed further light on the state of the investigation, reporting it is “nowhere near” finished.

Trail Blazers source tells me the probe into the allegations of toxic and hostile workplace and culture fostered by GM Neil Olshey is “nowhere near” completed.

Source does not expect any other major announcements today.

Column coming.

— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) November 12, 2021

Portland, 5-7 under rookie head coach Chauncey Billups, enters Friday's game at the Houston Rockets losers of its first six games away from home this season.