The NBA champion Houston Rockets offered no explanation for a front-office housecleaning that included the firing of the team mascot.
Eleven employees, including media information director Jay Goldberg and ticket operations director Jeff Gaines, were fired Tuesday. Jerry Burrell, a former All-America gymnast who played popular mascots Turbo and Booster, was among those terminated.John Thomas, Rockets vice president of business operations, said the team had long-standing plans to evaluate the business staff at the end of the season.
"This is an internal matter that does not affect the basketball team or operation," Thomas said. "Beyond that, I'm not going to comment. Philosophy and direction should be discussed at a different time when it's not connected by some misperception."
The firings also included an assistant media information director, the director of merchandising and employees in tickets, sales and community relations. Ticket manager Peggy Hartensteiner also resigned.