The ongoing tumult surrounding the Phoenix Suns continues to unfold as Andrea Trischan, a former employee, has filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona attorney general's office's civil rights division. Trischan, who served as the program manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) for the Suns from September 2022 to July 2023, is alleging wrongful termination and seeking $60 million in damages.
Complaint Details and Allegations
Trischan's time with the organization was marked by conflict and controversy. She asserts that her termination was not only unjust but also rooted in retaliation for raising concerns about the workplace environment. Her complaint outlines her apprehensions regarding the appointment of several executives, who had been accused of misconduct, to a newly established diversity council. These concerns were communicated to Kim Corbitt, the head of HR for the Suns.
Adding to the layers of her allegations, Trischan claims she endured overt racist comments and a hostile work environment, which she reported to HR and executive leadership without any corrective action being taken. "… [Trischan] endured overt racist comments and a hostile work environment that went unaddressed despite being reported to HR and executive leadership," said her attorney, Sheree Wright.
Suns Organization's Response
The Phoenix Suns have strongly denied any wrongdoing. Stacey Mitch, the senior vice president of communications for the Suns and Mercury, vehemently contested Trischan's claims. "A former employee who last worked for the organization in 2023 was terminated after less than 10 months due to repeated failure to perform her job duties," Mitch stated in a public response.
Mitch also addressed the financial aspect of Trischan's lawsuit, stating, "This individual filed a baseless charge with a state agency and is now trying to use ESPN reporting from 2022, specific to previous ownership, to make egregious claims in order to support her ridiculous demand for $60 million from the Suns organization."
Diversity Council Controversy
The creation and integrity of the diversity council within the Suns organization have also come under scrutiny. Trischan expressed concerns that executives with previous misconduct allegations were being placed in influential positions on the council, potentially undermining its purpose. In response, a Suns spokesperson clarified the council's objectives: "Ms. Trischan's claims regarding the diversity council are misleading. The purpose of the diversity council, which is comprised of the entire executive team and other leaders in the organization, is to listen to the diversity data and information on DE&I initiatives to continue to further the organization's DE&I commitment."
Background and Broader Implications
This latest dispute echoes larger issues within the Phoenix Suns organization. The NBA previously suspended former owner Robert Sarver following findings of inappropriate workplace conduct. Additionally, the resignation of former team president and CEO Jason Rowley in February 2023 and the finalization of Mat Ishbia's purchase of the team the same month, have kept the team in the spotlight, albeit not always for the right reasons.
Against this backdrop, Trischan alleges that she was placed on a performance improvement plan in late May 2023 and ultimately fired in July 2023. Her attorney, Sheree Wright, reinforced that the allegations of racism and a hostile work environment persisted throughout her tenure. "The Suns continue to participate in the [Arizona Civil Rights Division] review in good faith. We are confident that after the ACRD completes its review of Ms. Trischan's charge, the ACRD will confirm that Ms. Trischan's claims are factually and legally baseless," stated a representative for the Suns.
Ongoing Legal Process
The Phoenix Suns have committed to participating in the ongoing review by the Arizona Civil Rights Division (ACRD), expressing confidence that the review will vindicate the organization. "To be clear, this individual is making false claims in an attempt to gain tens of millions of dollars. We are confident the courts will find no merit to these claims and quickly resolve this matter. The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury are creating a world-class organization for every employee. We will not let opportunists succeed in their attempts to manipulate the media and use years-old reporting to seek financial gain," Mitch asserted.
As the ACRD continues its review of the charges, the outcome could have significant ramifications not only for Trischan but also for the broader practices within the Suns organization. The case highlights the ongoing struggles and scrutiny faced by professional sports teams as they navigate complexities of workplace culture, diversity, and accountability.