The Phoenix Suns NBA franchise is once again facing legal action, this time over allegations of harassment, discrimination, and a toxic workplace environment. A Hispanic woman, identified as Jane Doe, has filed a lawsuit against the Suns in Arizona federal court, making it the third lawsuit in five months by former employees accusing the organization of toxic workplace behavior.
The lawsuit, filed on Friday, claims that the plaintiff was subjected to unwelcome verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature between July and September 2023. As a prominent member of the Suns’ corporate staff, leading a team initiative celebrating Hispanic culture, the plaintiff alleges that she was repeatedly exposed to inappropriate comments, unwanted advances, and suggestive behavior from male colleagues and executives. Despite the knowledge of several senior team members, the lawsuit contends that the Suns’ leadership failed to intervene, allowing the hostile environment to persist.
The plaintiff’s legal complaint includes accusations of sexual harassment, racial and national origin discrimination, retaliation, constructive discharge, and violations of state and federal civil rights and equal pay laws. She claims that the ongoing discriminatory and retaliatory conduct led her to resign in February 2024 due to intolerable working conditions.
The lawsuit also highlights that the Suns’ toxic, male-dominated culture allegedly persisted under the ownership of Mat Ishbia, despite a change in leadership. This follows a year-long independent investigation by the NBA into the Suns’ previous ownership under Robert Sarver, who faced suspension and a $10 million fine after widespread misconduct allegations. Sarver sold the team to Ishbia in December 2022 for $4 billion.
This latest lawsuit echoes similar claims from former Suns employees, including Andrea Trischan, the team’s former head of diversity, equity, and inclusion, who sued the organization in November 2023. Trischan’s suit, along with the new plaintiff’s claims, names several current and former executives accused of neglecting their duties to address the ongoing misconduct.
In a statement, Cortney Walters, co-representing the plaintiff, emphasized the failure of the Suns to address the harassment. “Our client endured repeated inappropriate advances from senior executives. When she refused, she faced retaliation that ultimately pushed her out of the organization. Despite leading a nationally recognized cultural campaign, she was denied fair pay, excluded from internal recognition, and unjustly disciplined simply for speaking up,” Walters stated.
The plaintiff’s complaint further asserts that while she performed the duties of a director for a culturally significant outreach initiative, she was never promoted or compensated accordingly, and her name was excluded from a local Emmy Award nomination for the initiative she led.
In response to the lawsuit, Stacey Mitch, senior vice president of communications for the Suns, described the suit as part of a pattern orchestrated by attorney Sheree Wright. Mitch claimed that Wright’s previous lawsuit was dismissed by the Arizona attorney general’s office and accused her of unethical practices.
The lawsuit is ongoing, and the plaintiff is seeking justice not only to hold the Suns accountable but to stand up for women, particularly women of color, who often face mistreatment in silence. The plaintiff had previously filed a discrimination charge with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before pursuing legal action.
