The Phoenix Suns are facing a high-stakes legal battle as former employee Andrea Trischan, who served as the Program Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, has filed a complaint accusing the organization of racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Trischan is now demanding $60M for Alleged Discrimination, according to a detailed 25-page statement obtained by ESPN.
Ex-Suns Employee Demands $60M for Alleged Discrimination: Battle Intensifies!
In August 2024, Trischan lodged her complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division. She alleges that the Suns’ management ignored her reports of a hostile work environment and continued to foster a culture of racism. “Ms. Trischan faced blatant racist remarks and an unaddressed hostile environment despite reporting these incidents to Human Resources and senior leaders,” stated her attorney, Sheree Wright, in an email to ESPN.
Hired on September 19, 2022, shortly after the NBA penalized then-owner Robert Sarver with a one-year suspension and a $10 million fine for fostering a toxic workplace culture, Trischan found herself caught in a whirlwind of controversy. Just months into her role, she discovered that the Suns were creating a diversity council without her input—a council comprising executives implicated in misconduct under Sarver’s leadership. This revelation pushed Trischan to investigate further, a move she claims was met with resistance and attempts to silence her.
Her manager, Kim Corbitt, allegedly ordered Trischan to halt her inquiries into the executives, some of whom were implicated in maintaining a “troubling workplace culture.” According to Trischan, Corbitt’s approach perpetuated a hostile environment instead of addressing its root causes.
The Suns’ senior vice president of communications, Stacey Mitch, dismissed Trischan’s claims as “baseless” and “egregious,” accusing her of exploiting past reports to secure a financial windfall. “We are confident the courts will find no merit in these claims and resolve this matter quickly,” Mitch added.
The battle between Trischan and the Suns has reached a boiling point, with both sides considering mediation. However, no agreement has been reached, and Trischan’s attorneys have prepared to file a formal lawsuit by November 13. Meanwhile, the Arizona Attorney General’s office remains tight-lipped, citing a policy of not commenting on ongoing investigations.
As the drama unfolds, Trischan’s case highlights lingering issues within the Suns organization. Despite a change in ownership, with billionaire Mat Ishbia taking over from Sarver at a $4 billion valuation, the team remains under scrutiny for its treatment of employees.
Will the Phoenix Suns emerge unscathed, or is this just the tip of the iceberg? Only time—and perhaps the courts—will tell.
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