Andrea Trischan, formerly the program manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) for the Phoenix Suns, has filed an official complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona attorney general's office's civil rights division. This move follows her tenure with the Suns from September 2022 until July 2023.
Trischan is alleging wrongful termination and is seeking $60 million in damages. Her complaint comes after a series of troubling events and decisions within the Suns organization, notably under the shadow of prior mismanagement. The NBA had previously suspended the Suns’ former owner, Robert Sarver, after findings of inappropriate workplace conduct.
Allegations and Organizational Turmoil
Central to Trischan's claim is her contention that the organization mishandled the appointment of several executives accused of misconduct to a newly established diversity council. Despite raising her concerns with Kim Corbitt, head of HR for the Suns, her apprehensions seemingly went unaddressed. This alleged misstep is part of a broader narrative of what Trischan describes as a hostile work environment.
According to Trischan’s attorney, Sheree Wright, the former DE&I manager faced overtly racist comments and hostility during her time with the team, further compounding her professional struggles. Trischan claims that her reports of inappropriate behavior were ignored, contributing to her eventual placement on a performance improvement plan in May 2023 and her termination that July.
Response from the Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have staunchly defended themselves against Trischan's allegations. Stacey Mitch, the senior vice president of communications for the Suns and Mercury, emphasized that Trischan was terminated due to "repeated failure to perform her job duties" after less than 10 months with the organization. She described Trischan's legal action as a "baseless charge" aimed at leveraging past issues within the organization for personal financial gain.
Mitch articulated the organization’s stance, stating, "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."
The Suns have also rebutted Trischan’s criticisms of the diversity council, asserting that it comprises the entire executive team and other leaders, with its primary purpose being to utilize diversity data to further the organization’s DE&I commitment. A spokesperson for the Suns refuted Trischan's claims, stating, "Ms. Trischan's claims regarding the diversity council are misleading."
Legal Proceedings and Reviews
The Suns organization remains under scrutiny not only due to Trischan's allegations but also as part of the ongoing review by the Arizona Civil Rights Division (ACRD). The organization has pledged to participate fully in the review, maintaining confidence that the ACRD will find Trischan's claims to be unfounded. A Suns spokesperson remarked, "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."
Trischan’s tenure with the Suns intersected with a period of significant internal change, including the resignation of former team president and CEO, Jason Rowley, in February 2023. Mat Ishbia’s acquisition of the team was also finalized in the same month, indicating a pivotal transition in ownership and potentially differing organizational philosophies and priorities.
The Path Forward
The legal battle between Andrea Trischan and the Phoenix Suns is set against the backdrop of a franchise seeking to rebuild its image and organizational culture post-Robert Sarver's tenure. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with the Suns firmly denying any wrongdoing and Trischan persisting with her claims of an unjust and hostile working environment.
The resolution of this case will likely hinge on the findings of the ACRD and the courts, which will assess the merit of Trischan’s allegations and the Suns' defense. As the situation develops, it underscores not only the continuing complexities surrounding workplace culture in professional sports but also the ongoing efforts to bolster diversity, equity, and inclusion within such high-profile organizations.