PHOENIX (AP) 鈥� A former Phoenix Suns employee is suing the team, alleging racial discrimination and unlawful retaliation that led to her termination, according to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Arizona.
Andrea Trischan, the team's former manager of diversity, equity and inclusion, said in the lawsuit filed Wednesday that 鈥減otential financial misconduct鈥� and sexual misconduct also took place by team employees. Trischan worked for the Suns for about 10 months from September 2022 until July 2023.
鈥淎ndrea鈥檚 case is built on substantial evidence that establishes a clear and undeniable pattern of discrimination within the Suns organization,鈥� Trischan's lawyer Sheree Wright wrote in a statement.
ESPN and The Arizona Republic first reported on the lawsuit.
Trischan was hired in 2022 after former owner Robert Sarver for 鈥渨orkplace misconduct and organizational deficiencies.鈥� Sarver eventually sold the team to Mat Ishbia, for the Suns and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.
After being fired in 2023, Trischan filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona Attorney General鈥檚 Office鈥檚 civil rights division. That was dismissed on Nov. 5, according to ESPN and the Arizona Republic.
鈥淢s. Trischan鈥檚 case was dismissed by the Arizona Attorney General鈥檚 office earlier this week,鈥� Suns and Mercury Senior Vice President of Communications Stacey Mitch wrote in a statement. 鈥淗er claims have been without merit from day one, and now this lawsuit, in which she is seeking $60M, is based on the same claims that were just dismissed. We are fully confident the courts will agree her story is completely fabricated.鈥�
Wright wrote that Trischan wants to prove her case in court 鈥渞ather than relying on a government entity constrained by limited resources and an overwhelming caseload.鈥�
鈥淎ndrea remains unwavering in her pursuit of justice and is prepared to share her story and evidence with a jury,鈥� Wright added.
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AP NBA:
David Brandt, The Associated Press
