Former Suns' DEI Manager Files $60 Million Complaint Over Wrongful Termination
Andrea Trischan, the former program manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) for the Phoenix Suns, has taken legal action against the NBA team, alleging wrongful termination and seeking $60 million in damages. Trischan has formally filed complaints with both the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona Attorney General's Office’s Civil Rights Division.
Trischan's tenure with the Suns spanned from September 2022 to July 2023. In her complaint, Trischan contends that her firing was retaliatory in nature, following repeated internal objections concerning the appointment of executives accused of past misconduct to a newly established diversity council. She claims her warnings about this decision were largely disregarded by the organization's leadership, including head of HR Kim Corbitt.
According to Trischan, she was placed on a performance improvement plan in late May 2023, a move she perceives as being punitive. By July 2023, she had been dismissed from her role. As part of her allegations, Trischan, represented by attorney Sheree Wright, states she faced overt racist comments and endured a hostile work environment during her time with the Suns.
"[Trischan] endured overt racist comments and a hostile work environment that went unaddressed despite being reported to HR and executive leadership," Wright noted, emphasizing the severity of the environment her client faced.
NBA's Reaction and Previous Leadership
The backdrop to this controversy includes the 2022 suspension of the Suns’ former owner, Robert Sarver, following findings of inappropriate workplace conduct. Additionally, former team president and CEO Jason Rowley resigned in February 2023. That same month, Mat Ishbia's acquisition of the team was finalized, marking the beginning of a new era in the Suns’ ownership.
The Suns have firmly denied any wrongdoing in relation to Trischan's claims. Stacey Mitch, the senior vice president of communications for the Suns and Mercury, stated unequivocally that the organization terminated Trischan due to "repeated failure to perform her job duties."
"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 asserted. "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."
Furthermore, Mitch expressed the Suns' confidence in their legal position, suggesting that the claims would be swiftly dismissed by the courts. "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."
Controversy Over Diversity Council
One of the central points of contention in Trischan's complaint revolves around the establishment of the team’s diversity council, which she claims included several executives with histories of misconduct. A Suns spokesperson countered these allegations, describing Trischan's account as misleading.
"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," the spokesperson explained.
In the ongoing legal procedure, the Suns emphasize their cooperation with investigative authorities. "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," the spokesperson added.
As the review by the Arizona Civil Rights Division progresses, the Phoenix Suns find themselves amidst both legal scrutiny and public debate over their workplace culture and practices. The organization's dedication to DE&I initiatives remains under the microscope, as does their response to these serious allegations.