Andrea Trischan, who served as the program manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) for the Phoenix Suns from September 2022 to July 2023, has taken significant steps against her former employer. Trischan has officially filed a 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.
Allegations of Wrongful Termination
Trischan’s tenure with the Suns faced a turbulent end. She contends that she was placed on a performance improvement plan in late May 2023 and subsequently fired in July 2023. The former DE&I program manager alleges that her dismissal was driven by her vocal opposition to several controversial decisions made by the organization.
One of Trischan's primary concerns involved the appointment of several executives, who faced misconduct allegations, to a newly formed diversity council. This move, she argued, undermined the very goals of the council and the overall DE&I initiatives she was striving to bolster. She communicated these concerns to Kim Corbitt, the head of HR for the Suns.
Hostile Work Environment Allegations
Adding depth to her complaint, Trischan claims she endured overt racist comments and a hostile work environment during her time with the Suns. Despite reporting these issues to HR and the executive leadership, Trischan asserts that the complaints went unaddressed, further contributing to what she describes as an untenable work environment.
The Suns' Response
The Phoenix Suns have categorically denied any misconduct. Stacey Mitch, 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 labeled Trischan’s complaint as “baseless” and her demand for $60 million as “ridiculous.”
Mitch further expressed, "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."
Context and Background
Trischan’s allegations come in a period of transition and scrutiny for the Phoenix Suns. The NBA suspended the team's former owner, Robert Sarver, due to findings of inappropriate workplace conduct, creating a backdrop of controversy and change. In February 2023, Jason Rowley, the former team president and CEO, resigned, and Mat Ishbia's purchase of the team was finalized, ushering in new leadership dynamics.
Despite these changes, Trischan’s accusations suggest that underlying issues may persist within the organization. Sheree Wright, Trischan’s attorney, articulated the gravity of her client's experiences, noting that Trischan "endured overt racist comments and a hostile work environment that went unaddressed despite being reported to HR and executive leadership."
Diversity Council Controversy
The Suns have also addressed the controversy surrounding the diversity council. A spokesperson for the Suns responded to Trischan's claims, stating, "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 Investigations
The Suns have committed to cooperating with the ongoing review by the Arizona Civil Rights Division (ACRD). “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," the Suns’ spokesperson stated.
As the investigations proceed, the case of Andrea Trischan versus the Phoenix Suns brings to light the complex and often contentious realm of workplace dynamics and DE&I initiatives within professional sports organizations. The outcome of this high-stakes legal battle remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly places a spotlight on the Suns' internal culture and the broader issue of accountability in sports franchises.