Andrea Trischan, the former program manager for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) at the Phoenix Suns, has officially lodged a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona attorney general's office's civil rights division. Trischan's tenure with the Suns lasted from September 2022 to July 2023, during which she served in a pivotal role aiming to foster an inclusive environment within the organization.
Complaint Details and Allegations
Trischan's complaint is centered around allegations of wrongful termination, for which she is seeking $60 million in damages. Her attorney, Sheree Wright, has emphasized that Trischan endured overt racist comments and existed in a hostile work environment that remained unaddressed despite being reported to human resources and executive leadership. These allegations paint a troubling picture of her time with the Suns.
Adding complexity to the matter is the backdrop of the NBA's suspension of the Suns’ former owner, Robert Sarver, due to inappropriate workplace conduct. Trischan has expressed dissatisfaction with the organization’s decision to assign several executives, previously accused of misconduct, to a newly established diversity council, a move she found counterproductive to DE&I efforts.
Communication and Subsequent Actions
During her tenure, Trischan voiced her concerns to Kim Corbitt, the head of HR for the Suns. These concerns, she believes, were largely disregarded, culminating in her being placed on a performance improvement plan in late May 2023 before her termination in July. This sequence of events, according to Trischan, was retaliatory and unfounded.
In response to these claims, the Suns have categorically denied any wrongdoing. Stacey Mitch, the senior vice president of communications for the Suns and Mercury, refuted Trischan's allegations, stating, "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 further criticized the complaint as an attempt to exploit previous media reports for personal gain.
"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 said. "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."
The Diversity Council Controversy
One of the central contentions in Trischan's complaint involves her assertion that the diversity council, which included several executives with past misconduct accusations, was ill-equipped to advance DE&I goals effectively. The Suns, however, dispute this characterization. A spokesperson for the team mentioned, "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."
Organizational Shifts and Ongoing Investigations
It is worth noting that the Suns have undergone significant leadership changes recently. Jason Rowley, the former team president and CEO, resigned in February 2023, coinciding with Mat Ishbia's finalized purchase of the team that same month. These transitions may have influenced the organizational dynamic and Trischan's experiences therein.
Looking ahead, the Suns have vowed to cooperate fully with the Arizona Civil Rights Division (ACRD) review of Trischan's charges. "The Suns continue to participate in the [Arizona Civil Rights Division] review in good faith," a Suns spokesperson stated. "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."
This unfolding situation places the Phoenix Suns at the heart of yet another off-court controversy, highlighting the ongoing challenges and complexities of fostering an equitable work environment in the high-stakes world of professional sports. As the investigation progresses, both the Suns organization and Andrea Trischan will undoubtedly remain in the spotlight, with broader implications for DE&I practices across the league.