New Allegations Rock the Phoenix Suns: Current Employee Files Lawsuit
A current employee has filed a lawsuit against the Phoenix Suns in the United States District Court in Arizona, alleging discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. This is the fourth lawsuit filed against the Suns by a current or former member of the organization in the last seven months.
The latest lawsuit was filed by the attorneys of Gene Traylor, director of security and risk management for the Suns, who joined the team in January 2023. Traylor claims that one of his primary roles was to identify security, financial, and reputational risks for the Suns.
In 2023, Traylor presented a presentation to management, detailing several incidents, including:
- In March 2023, a former part-time employee stole over $40,000 in shoes, merchandise, and clothing.
- In April 2023, a “disgruntled subject” disrupted a Suns photoshoot with team executives.
- In June 2023, a political influencer “harassed” former Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, delaying the team’s flight by 3.5 hours.
Traylor alleges that the presentation led to retaliation from Suns management, including his demotion nearly a year later. He also alleges that the team dissuaded him from taking protected leave after being diagnosed with cancer.
“The accusations are delusional and categorically false.”
Statement from the Suns
In a joint statement, Traylor’s attorneys stated that the Suns “have resorted to personal and defamatory attacks” in a “transparent and calculated attempt to shift the public narrative, discredit the attorneys involved, and avoid accountability for their own misconduct.”
The lawsuit also reveals that the Phoenix Police Department conducted security tests at the Suns’ stadium, where undercover officers were able to enter the venue with weapons without being detected. The report of both tests was obtained.
“The safety of the guests is our top priority.”
Statement from the Suns
The lawsuit indicates that, in February 2024, the NBA also conducted a security audit at the team’s stadium, and the Suns failed that test. Traylor stated that the audit was a surprise and that the team has failed multiple league security audits since then.
Traylor, who filed complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona Attorney General’s civil rights division in November 2024, is seeking unspecified damages.
In addition to Traylor’s lawsuit, there have been three other recent lawsuits filed by former Suns employees, all in the United States District Court in Arizona.
Andrea Trischan, former diversity, equity, and inclusion program manager for the Suns, sued the team in November 2024, alleging harassment, racial discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination. Trischan is seeking $60 million.
In March, Jason Cope, a former employee of the SunsVision department since 2009, sued the team, alleging incorrect classification as an independent contractor, which denied him benefits and overtime. Cope, 46, alleged age discrimination.
In April, an anonymous former employee, identified as Jane Doe, alleged racial and gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation by a former Suns executive. The anonymous former employee is seeking unspecified compensation.
“The common denominator is Sheree Wright. She is trying to extort the Suns organization.”
Suns Statement
In April, Vicente Gonzales, hired by the Suns as a “senior specialist in team member relations” in November 2024, reported misconduct within the organization in a public LinkedIn post. Gonzales wrote that he raised staff concerns about the behavior of management and leadership, but was “silenced”.
These demands come after the organization sought to reform its workplace culture following an NBA investigation into the team, and after an ESPN investigation in November 2021 into the Suns and allegations of misconduct by former Suns owner Robert Sarver.
The NBA’s investigation announced its findings in September 2022, corroborating reports from ESPN and fining Sarver $10 million and suspending him for one year. The league also required the Suns to comply with a series of labor standards and requirements over a three-year period, which encompasses the period in which the team has faced recent employee lawsuits.
Among them, the team was to report on instances or allegations of “significant misconduct by any employee” and the team’s efforts to address those incidents.
“We are very proud of the work we have done to create a new culture under the leadership of Mat Ishbia. We are in full compliance.”
Suns Statement
Mat Ishbia bought a majority stake in the Suns for $2.28 billion and met with employees, promising to make the team “the best place to work”.
