In a significant turn of events, former Phoenix Suns program manager for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), Andrea Trischan, has filed a complaint with both the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona attorney general's office's civil rights division. Trischan, who served in her role from September 2022 until July 2023, is seeking $60 million in damages, alleging wrongful termination and an intolerable work environment during her tenure.
Allegations of Wrongful Termination
Trischan's complaint comes in the wake of her expressed concerns regarding the appointment of several executives accused of misconduct to a newly established diversity council. According to Trischan, her objections—specifically communicated to Kim Corbitt, the head of HR for the Suns—were met with resistance. Subsequently, she was placed on a performance improvement plan in late May of this year and ultimately fired in July.
Stacey Mitch, senior vice president of communications for the Suns and Mercury, categorically denied any wrongdoing, stating, "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 went further to dismiss Trischan's claims, saying, "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."
A History of Controversy
The complaint adds another layer to the controversy surrounding the Phoenix Suns, already under scrutiny following the NBA's suspension of former owner Robert Sarver due to inappropriate workplace conduct. The team has been attempting to rebuild its image, especially after Mat Ishbia's purchase of the team was finalized in February 2023, which also saw the resignation of then-team president and CEO, Jason Rowley.
Trischan’s allegations go beyond procedural grievances. According to her attorney, Sheree Wright, Trischan "endured overt racist comments and a hostile work environment that went unaddressed despite being reported to HR and executive leadership." Wright asserts that these complaints fell on deaf ears, further exacerbating the alleged hostile work environment.
Suns’ Denial and Continued Participation in Review
Despite these serious allegations, the Suns organization has remained adamant in their denial. A Suns spokesperson emphasized their commitment to creating a world-class organization for every employee, stating, "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." They also added, "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."
The Suns have committed to participating in the ongoing review by the Arizona Civil Rights Division (ACRD), asserting, "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."
DE&I Council Back in Spotlight
One focal point of Trischan’s allegations is the Suns' diversity council. She criticized the organization for appointing individuals accused of misconduct to a body supposedly dedicated to diversity and inclusion. Responding to this, a Suns spokesperson stated, "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."
As the suns work through this period of scrutiny and legal challenges, the spotlight remains firmly on how the organization handles these allegations and whether they can rebuild the trust and integrity that are integral to professional sports organizations.