Andrea Trischan, the former program manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) for the Phoenix Suns, has officially filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona attorney general's office's civil rights division. Trischan, who served from September 2022 to July 2023, is alleging wrongful termination and seeking $60 million in damages.
Allegations and Concerns
Trischan's departure from the Suns came amid significant turmoil within the organization. Her complaint includes allegations of wrongful termination and enduring overt racist comments and a hostile work environment during her tenure. Her lawyer, Sheree Wright, states that these issues went unaddressed despite being reported to HR and executive leadership.
One key point in Trischan's claims involves the organization's decision to appoint several executives accused of misconduct to a newly established diversity council. Trischan communicated her concerns about this appointment to Kim Corbitt, the head of HR for the Suns. In May 2023, Trischan was placed on a performance improvement plan and was ultimately fired two months later in July 2023.
Response from the Suns
The Phoenix Suns have categorically denied any wrongdoing. Stacey Mitch, the senior vice president of communications for the Suns and Mercury, 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." Regarding Trischan's $60 million demand, Mitch described it as a baseless charge, asserting, "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 organization's firm stance is further reflected in a statement from a Suns spokesperson, who said, "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."
Context and Background
The Phoenix Suns have been under scrutiny following the NBA's suspension of their former owner, Robert Sarver, due to findings of inappropriate workplace conduct. This suspension led to a change in ownership, with Mat Ishbia finalizing his purchase of the team in February 2023. Jason Rowley, the former team president and CEO, also resigned in the same month.
In response to these events and ongoing concerns, the organization has committed to participating in the ongoing review by the Arizona Civil Rights Division (ACRD). Despite these efforts, the allegations against the Suns continue to cast a shadow over the team.
Counterarguments
Stacey Mitch remains unyielding in her defense of the organization, stating, "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."
Furthermore, a Suns spokesperson addressed Trischan's specific concerns about the diversity council, explaining, "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."
Looking Forward
As the Arizona Civil Rights Division continues its review, the ultimate resolution of Trischan's claims will hinge on the findings of this investigation. Both sides stand firm in their positions, with the Suns organization confident that the review will support their stance and Trischan seeking legal redress for what she perceives as significant injustices during her time with the team.
The ongoing developments in this case serve as a crucial test of the Phoenix Suns' commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and their ability to rebuild trust within the organization and the broader community.