Andrea Trischan Files Complaint Against Phoenix Suns Claiming Wrongful Termination
Andrea Trischan, the former program manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) for the Phoenix Suns, has taken her grievances to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Arizona attorney general's office's civil rights division. Trischan, who served in her role from September 2022 to July 2023, alleges wrongful termination and is pursuing $60 million in damages from the Suns organization.
Trischan’s complaint comes amid a broader scrutiny of workplace culture within the Suns organization, which has previously seen its former owner, Robert Sarver, suspended by the NBA following allegations of inappropriate workplace conduct. Trischan claims that her dismissal followed her vocal concerns regarding the appointment of several executives accused of misconduct to a newly established diversity council.
In an internal push for greater accountability, Trischan reportedly communicated her concerns to the Suns' head of HR, Kim Corbitt. These concerns, according to Trischan, were met not with change but with retaliation. She asserts that in late May 2023, she was placed on a performance improvement plan, eventually leading to her termination two months later.
Represented by attorney Sheree Wright, Trischan further alleges that her tenure with the Suns was marred by overtly racist comments and a hostile work environment, which she claims went unaddressed despite being reported to both HR and executive leadership.
Suns Respond to Allegations
The Phoenix Suns have been swift in their denial of Trischan’s claims. Through Stacey Mitch, senior vice president of communications for the Suns and Mercury, the organization has described the allegations as baseless and a mere ploy to extract financial gain. "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 stated.
Mitch went on to criticize Trischan for her actions post-termination. "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 added. The organization maintains confidence that the courts will find no merit in Trischan’s claims and resolve the matter swiftly.
Another spokesperson for the Suns elaborated on the purpose of the diversity council, clarifying that it is "comprised of the entire executive team and other leaders in the organization" with the goal of listening to diversity data and furthering DE&I initiatives.
Broader Context and Future Implications
The allegations come at a turbulent time for the Phoenix Suns, who are also adjusting to new ownership under Mat Ishbia, whose acquisition of the team finalized in February 2023. Concurrently, former team president and CEO Jason Rowley resigned in the same month, marking significant leadership changes within the organization.
Given the complex backdrop of these developments, the organization's commitment to cooperating with the ongoing review by the Arizona Civil Rights Division (ACRD) remains critical. "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,” stated a Suns spokesperson.
While the outcome of Trischan’s complaint remains uncertain, the case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by organizations in ensuring a workplace that is both inclusive and free from discrimination. As the narrative unfolds, it places a spotlight not only on the Suns' internal culture but also on broader issues of workplace equity and accountability in professional sports.
For now, Andrea Trischan remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice, bolstered by her legal team's assurance of the validity of her claims. As the legal processes advance, the sports community will closely watch how the courts, as well as civil rights organizations, adjudicate the contentious charges.