• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Law

Former Suns Employee Sues Team Over Wrongful Termination, Retaliation

A former Suns employee is suing the team for a reported $60 million over wrongful termination and retaliation, among other charges.

Jul 8, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver reacts during the second half in game two of the 2021 NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit:
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

An ongoing dispute between a former Suns employee and the team has made its way to court. 

Andrea Trischan, the team’s former program manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion for 10 months between September 2022 and July 2023, is suing the organization alleging harassment, racial discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination. In the lawsuit, she also alleges financial misconduct, sexual misconduct, and racial discrimination by current and past team executives. 

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix. The suit, which was reviewed by Front Office Sports, is asking for unspecified damages and a jury trial. A Suns spokesperson told ESPN that Trischan is seeking $60 million. A Suns spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sheree Wright, Trischan’s attorney, also did not respond to a request for comment. 

Trischan joined the organization in 2022, just days after an ESPN story detailed a toxic workplace environment in the team offices, which started with former owner Robert Sarver. The report detailed instances of Sarver using racially insensitive language around employees, misogynistic behavior, and included a story of him pantsing an employee. In September 2022, the NBA suspended Sarver for one year after its own investigation and fined him $10 million. Sarver sold the team to mortgage lending tycoon Mat Ishbia for $4 billion in February 2023. 

In her role, Trischan was supposed to help address the workplace issues the ESPN report highlighted under Sarver, one of which was an NBA requirement that the team improve its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, the lawsuit states. 

Roughly two months into her job, Trischan alleges the team was creating a diversity council without her approval. Multiple members of the council were team executives named a month later in a follow-up ESPN story, who allegedly contributed to the toxic workplace culture under Sarver. Some of those executives were then-team president and CEO Jason Rowley; EVP and chief revenue officer Dan Costello; Kyle Pottinger, who was SVP of ticket sales and service; and Melissa Goldenberg, then the team’s general counsel. Pottinger and Goldenberg have recently departed the organization, according to ESPN. 

The lawsuit said Trischan made the connection between the executives in question and the second ESPN story, and she had multiple employees express “specific concerns” about some of the executives’ behavior, including Costello’s, who the suit states allegedly hindered the promotion of Black employees in favor of those who aligned with his views. 

Trischan said she took her concerns to Suns’ human resources head Kim Corbitt, her direct supervisor, about the executives named in the ESPN story. Corbitt “directly discouraged” Trischan from investigating claims of misconduct against team executives and said they were on the diversity council to “reshape their image,” the suit says. 

She was placed on an employee improvement program in late May 2023 and was fired two months later. After she was terminated, Trischan filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona Attorney General’s office’s civil rights division. The complaint with the state attorney general’s office was dismissed on Nov. 5 because the “information obtained is not sufficient to establish violations,” according to ESPN. The dismissal noted it wasn’t concluding whether the Suns did or didn’t violate any laws. (When asked for comment, the Arizona AG’s office told FOS it does not comment on civil rights investigations.)

Trischan and the Suns previously tried to settle the dispute through mediation, but no agreement was reached. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 25, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics lead owner and governor Bill Chisholm speaks during a press conference at Auerbach Center.

The NBA’s Expanding Private-Equity Footprint

There is a PE connection of some kind for 20 of 30 teams.
Mat Ishbia

Mat Ishbia Countersues Suns Minority Owners in Transparency Fight

He claims two minority partners are manufacturing a “contrived legal drama.”

RAJ Sports Withdraws Lawsuit Over Trail Blazers Stake

RAJ Sports had sued the Cherng family, owner of Panda Express.
Dec 23, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and Portland Trail Blazers logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Reopens Doors in China—and Eyes the WNBA Next

The Mavericks and Rockets are set to play games in Macao next year.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 19, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Rose Bowl Stadium.

John Textor Loses Bid to End $97M Suit Tied to Failed Soccer..

Textor told FOS he intends to appeal; Iconic Sports intends to collect.
Apr 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; The Chicago Cubs flag sign is seen prior to a game between the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field
October 15, 2025

Facial Recognition Tech Suit Against Cubs Dismissed

The Cubs said they don’t use the technology protected by Illinois law.
FBI
October 17, 2025

Former Everton Bidder Indicted for $500 Million Fraud Scheme

777 Partners failed to complete its purchase of Everton in 2023.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
Feb 4, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and Toronto Raptors forward Jonathon Mogbo (2) chase after a loose ball during the second half at Scotiabank Arena.
October 13, 2025

Knicks, Raptors Agree to Drop Suit Over ‘Mole’ Accused of Stealing

The Knicks had sought more than $10 million in damages.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Recording artist Kendrick Lamar performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome.
October 10, 2025

Judge Dismisses Drake’s Super Bowl Defamation Suit

The judge said diss tracks aren’t considered facts.
Oct 7, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) talk with each other after the Bengals defeated the Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium.
October 10, 2025

Former Dolphins Safety Lands $9.5M Settlement in Advisor Theft Case

Reshad Jones accused his former financial advisor of stealing almost $2.6 million.
Aug 19, 2022; Delaware, OH, USA; More than 1,700 Olentangy Berlin High School students celebrate being named ‘Most Spirited High School in the Country’ by Varsity Brands. The school celebrated with a pep rally in the auditorium.
October 9, 2025

Varsity Brands, PE Owner Face $200M Suit Claiming Systemic Sexual Abuse

Defendants are accused of a coordinated conspiracy.