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 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.

Dallas Mavericks photographer Danny Bollinger is pictured during Dallas Mavericks Media Day at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Friday, September 21, 2018. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News) (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)

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 their eight-day, two-exhibition-game trip. But sources said when the investigation yielded evidence of inappropriate behavior, Bollinger was told to return late Thursday.

The was the same evening in which The News' story appeared online. Sources said Bollinger was fired upon his return and meeting with some of the Mavericks' executive leadership 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.

Twitter: @Townbrad

Staff writer Brandon George contributed to this story