Former Phoenix Suns DEI Manager Sues Team for Discrimination, Seeks $60M in Damages

A former Phoenix Suns worker is suing the organization for alleged discrimination and wrongful termination.

According to ESPN’s Andrea Trischan, former manager of the Suns’ diversity, equity and inclusion program, he filed a criticism with US Equal Employment Opportunity and the Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. He is searching for $60 million in damages.

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office said it “does not confirm the existence of investigations or comment on potential investigations,” despite reports it’s leading the probe.

“Ms. Trischan filed a formal complaint … regarding ongoing racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation she experienced while working for the Phoenix Suns,” Sheree Wright, Trischan’s attorney, told the sports outlet in an email. “Specifically, Ms. Trischan endured overt racist comments and a hostile work environment that was not addressed despite reports to HR and executive management.”

Trishchan officially accepted the position because the Phoenix Suns’ diversity, equity and inclusion program manager just six days after the NBA announced that then-team owner Robert Sarver had been suspended for a 12 months following a nationwide investigation into accusations of a “disturbing workplace culture” and misconduct during his 18-year tenure as majority owner of the organization.

In addition, the NBA fined Sarver $10 million, and inside two months of the investigation starting, Trischan said she had been aware about the team’s developing diversity council without her knowledge. The Suns deny all claims.

Additionally, Sarver announced that he intends to sell the team once the investigation is complete.

“A former employee who last worked for the organization in 2023 was terminated after less than 10 months due to repeated dereliction of duty,” Suns and Mercury senior vice chairman of communications Stacey Mitch said in a press release to ESPN. “This individual made a baseless allegation to a state agency and is now attempting to use ESPN’s 2022 reporting on the previous owner to make egregious claims in support of her absurd demand for $60 million from the Suns organization.”

Under her leadership, Trischan was tasked with helping resolve concerns dropped at ESPN’s attention by current and former Phoenix Suns employees. Following an investigation into Sarver’s misconduct, the NBA ordered the Suns to not only address their diversity, equity and inclusion programs, but in addition “hire an outside firm to evaluate and provide recommendations regarding workplace training programs, policies and procedures, and hiring and compensation practices — with a focus on fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace.”

Shortly after Trischan learned of the range council that had been formed without her knowledge inside the organization, a subsequent investigation revealed that the council would have included several Suns executives, including Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Dan Castello, Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales and Customer Service Kyle Pottinger, Team General Counsel Melissa Goldenberg and then-Team President and CEO Jason Rowley.

According to the criticism filed by Trischan, shortly after she initiated an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior against the aforementioned executive, she was instructed by her direct supervisor, Kim Corbitt, who can also be the top of human resources, to “cease and desist from investigating the report.”

“This interaction underscores how Corbitt’s approach fits into practices that perpetuate a hostile work environment rather than addressing the underlying issues,” Trischan’s statement read.

The filing also shows Corbitt told Trischan the rationale the chief joined the range council was to “change her image.”

It’s price noting that not one of the Suns executives listed in ESPN’s 2022 report are still with the team, except for one.

“Ms. Trischan’s claims regarding the diversity council are misleading,” a Suns spokesperson said. “The purpose of the diversity council, which is comprised of the entire executive team and other leaders of the organization, is to hear diversity data and information on DE&I initiatives to continue to support the organization’s commitment to DE&I.”

According to Trischan, she was placed on a performance improvement plan in late May and was terminated from her position in July 2023.

While Trischan and the Phoenix Suns have considered mediation to resolve the dispute, no agreement has been reached. She also has until November 13 to file a proper lawsuit, which her attorneys say is already prepared and able to file.