The Phoenix Suns are under renewed scrutiny as they face a fourth employee lawsuit in just seven months, raising serious concerns about the organization’s internal culture and leadership.
ESPN first reported that the lawsuit had been filed.
Gene Traylor, the team’s current director of security, filed a complaint alleging discrimination, harassment, and retaliation after he reported safety and financial risks within the organization. Hired in early 2023, Traylor claims he was subjected to a hostile work environment after raising red flags about operational procedures. According to his lawsuit, he was “systematically marginalized and retaliated against” for doing his job.
Traylor’s lawsuit follows a $60 million suit filed by Andrea Trischan, the team’s former DEI program manager. Trischan alleges she was wrongfully terminated after investigating misconduct by executives, some of whom sat on the Suns’ diversity council. “Instead of being supported,” she claims, “I was silenced, undermined, and eventually forced out.”
The Suns have firmly denied Trischan’s claims, calling them “completely fabricated.” In a statement, the team insisted that Trischan’s investigations were not part of her official responsibilities and that her dismissal followed standard HR processes unrelated to any discrimination.
These lawsuits add to a growing list of controversies for the Suns, who are still trying to rehabilitate their image following the 2022 NBA investigation into former owner Robert Sarver. That probe revealed a toxic workplace, leading to Sarver’s suspension, a $10 million fine, and eventually the team’s sale to billionaire Mat Ishbia.
Despite the leadership change, these recent legal actions suggest that the culture Sarver left behind may still linger. As one legal expert noted, “This many lawsuits in such a short span points to systemic issues that leadership has yet to fully address.”
The Suns have not commented further, citing ongoing litigation.
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