Andrea Trischan, the former program manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) for the Phoenix Suns, has filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona attorney general's office's civil rights division, alleging wrongful termination and seeking $60 million in damages. These legal actions bring to light troubling allegations within the organization, once again placing the Suns in the media spotlight over employee treatment and workplace atmosphere.
Claims of Wrongful Termination and Racism
Trischan, who was with the Suns from September 2022 until July 2023, claims she endured a hostile work environment riddled with overtly racist comments. These issues, she asserts, were reported to human resources and executive leadership but went unaddressed. Trischan contends that after expressing concerns about the appointment of several executives accused of misconduct to a new diversity council, her position became more precarious. She was placed on a performance improvement plan in late May 2023 and subsequently fired two months later.
Trischan's attorney, Sheree Wright, supports her client's allegations, stating that Trischan "endured overt racist comments and a hostile work environment that went unaddressed despite being reported to HR and executive leadership."
Response from the Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have staunchly denied any wrongdoing. Stacey Mitch, the senior vice president of communications for the Suns and Mercury, issued strong statements refuting Trischan’s claims. According to Mitch, "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 further characterized the allegations as opportunistic, linking them to media reports about the former ownership.
"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," Mitch remarked. She asserted that the Suns are confident in their legal standing, stating, "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."
Leadership and Operational Changes
The case of Andrea Trischan comes on the heels of other significant changes within the Suns' organization. Robert Sarver, the former owner, was suspended by the NBA following findings of inappropriate workplace conduct, and Jason Rowley, the team’s former president and CEO, resigned in February 2023. Mat Ishbia's purchase of the team was finalized that same month, laying the foundation for a new era in Suns’ leadership. Despite these changes, Trischan's allegations suggest that internal issues may persist.
Role of the Diversity Council
The focus of some of Trischan’s concerns was the newly established diversity council. According to her, the council was compromised by the inclusion of executives accused of misconduct. A spokesperson for the Suns responded, stating, "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."
Ongoing Review by Arizona Civil Rights Division
The Suns have committed to participating in the ongoing review by the Arizona Civil Rights Division (ACRD), confident that the legal system will validate their position. "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," stated a spokesperson for the Suns.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the sports world will be watching to see how these allegations impact the Phoenix Suns' efforts to rebuild their organizational culture and reputation. The case underscores not only the challenges of addressing past misconduct but also the complexities involved in creating an inclusive and respectful workplace, an endeavor that professional sports teams globally are increasingly being called upon to prioritize.