The Phoenix Suns are currently in the midst of a legal battle with a former employee, Andrea Trischan, who alleges discrimination and wrongful termination. Trischan, who held the position of program manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion, filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the civil rights division of the Arizona attorney general’s office. She claims to have been subjected to racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation during her tenure with the Suns.
According to Trischan’s attorney, Sheree Wright, she endured racist comments and faced a hostile work environment that was not addressed by HR or executive leadership despite being reported. Trischan joined the Suns in 2022, shortly after then-owner Robert Sarver was suspended and fined following an NBA investigation into workplace culture. The attorney general’s office is currently investigating the matter but declined to comment on ongoing investigations.
In response to Trischan’s claims, Suns and Mercury senior vice president of communications, Stacey Mitch, stated that she faced termination due to repeated failure to perform her job duties. Mitch characterized Trischan’s demands for $60 million in damages as baseless and accused her of attempting to use past media reporting to support her claims. The team remains confident that the courts will find no merit in her allegations.
Trischan’s role was created to address issues within the organization related to diversity, equity, and inclusion that had been highlighted during Sarver’s tenure. However, Trischan claims that she faced obstacles in carrying out her responsibilities, including the creation of a diversity council without her input and the inclusion of executives accused of misconduct.
Trischan alleges that she faced harassment, discrimination, and retaliation from colleagues and superiors for attempting to address discriminatory behavior and file complaints. Her confrontation with Kim Corbitt, the head of human resources, further exacerbated her situation, leading to her termination in 2023. Despite discussing mediation with the Suns, no resolution has been reached, and Trischan’s attorneys are preparing to file a formal lawsuit.
The Suns maintain that Trischan’s claims are baseless and are cooperating with the Arizona Civil Rights Division in reviewing the case. While most of the executives accused of misconduct remain with the team, changes in ownership and ongoing legal proceedings continue to cast a shadow over the organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives. Trischan has until November to file her lawsuit, setting the stage for a protracted legal battle between her and the Suns.
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