Nowitzki, Carlisle speak out on Mavericks turmoil: 'It's heartbreaking'

Dallas Mavericks mainstays Rick Carlisle and Dirk Nowitzki addressed the scandal surrounding their team Wednesday, describing the recent reports involving the team's front office as disappointing.

"It’s very disappointing. It’s heartbreaking," Nowitzki said, via the Dallas Morning News' Eddie Sefko. "I'm glad it’s all coming out. I was disgusted when I read the article, obviously, as everybody was. I was shocked ... that our franchise, my franchise, that stuff like that was going on."

A Sports Illustrated investigative report on Tuesday revealed multiple complaints of sexual harassment against former team CEO Terdema Ussery, for which he went unpunished. Another employee, Earl Sneed, was also allowed to keep his job with the Mavericks despite a criminal record for domestic violence. In addition to those charges, which he pleaded guilty to, a woman who dated Sneed and also worked with the team reported that he assaulted her in 2014.

"I'm grateful we live in a place in time where people have the courage to speak up about things like this," Carlisle, the team's coach since 2008, said. "I also have a 13-year-old daughter and I want her to know that it’s both brave and safe to speak out."

The Sports Illustrated article made a point of saying that no complaints were ever made against Mavericks players or coaches.