The Phoenix Suns are currently entangled in a legal battle with a former employee, Andrea Trischan, who has alleged discrimination and wrongful termination. Trischan, who previously served as the Suns’ program manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion, has filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona attorney general’s office’s civil rights division. She is seeking a staggering $60 million in damages, citing ongoing racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation that she experienced during her employment with the Suns.
Trischan was brought on board by the Suns on September 19, 2022, shortly after the NBA suspended then-owner Robert Sarver for one year and fined him $10 million following an investigation into his conduct and the team’s workplace culture over his 18-year tenure. The attorney general’s office has refrained from commenting on the matter, stating that it does not provide information on ongoing investigations. However, Stacey Mitch, the Suns and Mercury senior vice president of communications, has defended the Suns’ position, stating that Trischan was terminated due to repeated failure to perform her job duties.
Allegations of Misconduct
Trischan’s role at the Suns involved addressing issues that employees had raised about the workplace culture under Sarver’s leadership. Following the NBA’s mandate for the Suns to enhance their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, Trischan took on the responsibility. However, in November 2022, she discovered that the team was establishing a diversity council without her input, consisting of several Suns executives accused of misconduct. This revelation was particularly troubling as these executives had been implicated in perpetuating a toxic work environment.
Hostile Work Environment
According to Trischan’s statement, she faced challenges when investigating allegations of misconduct against the Suns executives named in the ESPN report. Her manager, Kim Corbitt, urged her to halt her inquiries, which Trischan viewed as an attempt to suppress her efforts. Despite voicing concerns about the presence of these executives on the diversity council, her objections were dismissed. The statement further highlighted instances of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation that Trischan experienced for attempting to address systemic issues within the organization.
Trischan was placed on a performance improvement plan in late May and subsequently terminated in July 2023. While Trischan and the Suns have explored mediation to resolve the dispute, no agreement has been reached thus far. Her legal team is preparing to file a lawsuit against the Suns, with a deadline set for November 13. The Suns have expressed confidence in the Arizona Civil Rights Division’s review process, believing that Trischan’s claims lack factual and legal basis.
Despite the ongoing allegations and legal challenges, most of the Suns executives implicated in the ESPN report remain with the team. However, one high-ranking official, Jason Rowley, resigned in February 2023, shortly before the team was acquired by billionaire Mat Ishbia. Ishbia’s purchase of the Suns and Mercury marked a significant transition following Sarver’s tumultuous tenure as the majority owner.
The Phoenix Suns’ current predicament underscores the importance of promoting a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment within professional sports organizations. Addressing allegations of discrimination and misconduct is essential to fostering a positive workplace culture and upholding ethical standards. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how the Suns will navigate these challenges and enact meaningful change within their organization.
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