Andrea Trischan, who served as the program manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) for the Phoenix Suns from September 2022 until July 2023, has filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona attorney general's office's civil rights division. Trischan alleges wrongful termination and is seeking $60 million in damages. This move follows a turbulent period for the Suns, who have experienced significant changes in recent years.
Trischan's tenure with the Suns ended under contentious circumstances. According to her claims, she was placed on a performance improvement plan in late May 2023 and ultimately fired in July 2023. Trischan's attorney, Sheree Wright, asserts that her client endured “overt racist comments and a hostile work environment” throughout her employment, which were allegedly unaddressed despite being reported to HR and executive leadership. Wright further alleges that Trischan's dismissal was a retaliatory act following her complaints about the organization’s DE&I practices.
Trischan raised concerns about the team's decision to appoint several executives, who were previously accused of misconduct, to a newly established diversity council. Her apprehensions were communicated directly to Kim Corbitt, the head of HR for the Suns. These executives' inclusion in a council meant to promote DE&I reportedly undermined the council's integrity and mission.
Sun's Defense
The Phoenix Suns have categorically denied any wrongdoing. Stacey Mitch, the senior vice president of communications for the Suns and Mercury, firmly stated, "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 dismissed Trischan’s claims as attempts to leverage past issues for financial gain, 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."
Mitch's statements underline the team's position that Trischan’s allegations lack substance. "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," Mitch added.
Leadership Changes and Ongoing Reviews
This controversy comes after a notable leadership shift within the Phoenix Suns. Jason Rowley, the former team president and CEO, resigned in February 2023. The same month, Mat Ishbia finalized his purchase of the team, marking a new era following the NBA's suspension of the team's previous owner, Robert Sarver, due to findings of inappropriate workplace conduct.
Despite Trischan's allegations, the Suns maintain their stance on the newly formed diversity council’s purpose. A Suns spokesperson clarified, “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.”
Legal Proceedings and Future Implications
The Suns have committed to participating in the review by the Arizona Civil Rights Division (ACRD) as part of the legal process. The team expressed confidence that Trischan's claims would be disproven. "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," a spokesperson for the Suns stated.
As these legal proceedings unfold, the broader implications for the organization's DE&I ethos and leadership dynamics remain under scrutiny. The outcome will likely shape the future strategies and internal policies of the Suns, as they aim to create a more inclusive and respectful workplace environment.
Andrea Trischan's fight against her former employer underscores the ongoing challenges many organizations face in living up to DE&I commitments. Whether her allegations hold merit will ultimately be determined by the courts, but the case has already sparked a necessary conversation about workplace equity and accountability within professional sports teams.