Yet one more Phoenix Suns worker is suing the group alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Nevertheless, the group says they’re being ‘extorted’ by the lawyer representing the employee.
Gene Traylor, the group’s director of security, safety, and danger administration filed a go well with in opposition to the Suns to develop into the fourth present or former worker to sue the franchise within the final seven months.
Per Traylor’s criticism, obtained by DailyMail.com, he claims he was demoted from his job after submitting a presentation to Suns administration highlighting his issues about potential safety threats.
The lawsuit says that after the presentation, Traylor’s safety issues grew, particularly mentioning two incidents: 1) A ‘disgruntled topic’ interrupted a photo-op with group executives in April 2023 and a couple of) A political influencer ‘harassed’ former Phoenix Mercury participant Brittney Griner at Dallas/Fort Value Worldwide Airport in June 2023 – which delayed the group’s flight a number of hours
Traylor says within the filings that giving this presentation led to ‘retaliation’ from group administration and a later demotion. He additionally claims the group discouraged him from taking protected go away after he was recognized with most cancers, in keeping with the criticism.
Furthermore, the lawsuit highlights a number of events the place the safety measures on the Footprint Heart in Phoenix failed area assessments.
A Phoenix Suns worker is suing the group over alleged harassment and discrimination
Pictured: Phoenix Suns homeowners Justin Ishbia (L) and Mat Ishbia (R) in February 2023
That is the fourth lawsuit filed in opposition to the Suns by present or former staff in 7 months
In accordance with the lawsuit, Phoenix police performed a take a look at in December 2023 the place plainclothes cops tried getting into the world with legitimate tickets, however carried hid weapons. Two officers have been in a position to enter with hid knives, the lawsuit says.
Virtually one yr later, officers from the identical police division managed to smuggle in two handguns and a knife in one other area take a look at, the lawsuit says.
The go well with additionally says that an NBA audit of the world’s safety in February 2025 got here again as a failure. Three different group sources informed ESPN that the group failed a number of league safety audits since 2024.
DailyMail.com reached out to the Suns for touch upon this matter. In a press release to ESPN, the Suns disputed the allegation relating to the audits – saying they’ve by no means failed a safety audit.Â
‘Visitor security is our high precedence,’ the Suns informed ESPN on Thursday. ‘We proceed to fulfill and exceed security expectations.Â
‘We repeatedly conduct safety assessments, which is normal throughout the business. We now have used these proactive measures to make sure we’re working on the highest degree of security and preparedness.’Â
Along with Traylor, the Suns are topic to a few different lawsuits made by former staff.
Again in November, the Suns’ program supervisor of variety, fairness and inclusion – Andrea Trischan – filed a lawsuit alleging harassment, racial discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination. She is in search of $60million in damages.
This newest go well with particulars a presentation given about failed safety measures, together with theft and harassment of former Mercury star Brittney Griner. The worker says they have been demoted.
The go well with additionally particulars failed safety audits two separate events the place plainclothes police have been allegedly in a position to smuggle weapons previous safety checkpoints on the Footprint Heart
In March, Jason Cope – who had labored for the group’s SunsVision division for over a decade – sued the group saying he was misclassified as an impartial contractor. This denied him advantages and additional time. Cope is alleging age discrimination, claiming that half-a-dozen different Suns staff have been transferred to contractor standing whereas the franchise employed a number of youthful staff as full-time employees.
Lastly, final month, an nameless former worker – recognized as Jane Doe – alleged racial and gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation by a former Suns government.
Traylor is being represented by attorneys Sheree Wright and Cortney Walters. In a press release to DailyMail.com, the Suns denounced Wright – claiming that she has a vendetta in opposition to the group.
‘The Supreme Court docket of Arizona has twice disciplined legal professional Sheree Wright for committing quite a few violations of the principles {of professional} conduct, and he or she is at present serving a two-year probation with the State Bar of Arizona,’ learn a press release supplied by Suns Senior VP of Communications Stacey Mitch.
‘The Court docket famous that the State Bar of Arizona and Ms. Wright agreed that she suffered from “inexperience within the observe of legislation” and “private or emotional issues.” However neither inexperience nor probation stopped Ms. Wright from leveling false allegations in opposition to the Phoenix Suns.
‘This time, Ms. Wright and her consumer have made absurd accusations of misconduct surrounding the safety division of the Phoenix Suns. These allegations are delusional and categorically false. Ms. Wright initially filed these ridiculous claims with regulators however voluntarily withdrew them.
‘The Suns won’t be extorted and can search to carry Ms. Wright and her accomplices absolutely accountable for their actions.’
The Suns have been in one thing of a transition since being offered by Robert Sarver
Ishbia purchased a controlling 57 % stake within the Suns again in 2023
In a blistering assertion supplied to DailyMail.com, Wright accused the Suns of ‘defamatory assaults’ and claimed ‘highly effective establishments typically attempt to discredit those that problem them—particularly when these challengers are Black girls.’
She stated: ‘We’re proud to signify a number of people, each present and former staff of the Phoenix Suns, who’ve courageously stepped ahead to share their experiences of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout the group.
‘These are usually not obscure accusations. They’re particular, detailed, and backed by witnesses, documentation, and corroborating proof.
‘Fairly than have interaction with the substance of those credible claims, the Suns have resorted to non-public and defamatory assaults in opposition to Lawyer Sheree Wright. It is a clear and calculated try and shift the general public narrative, discredit the attorneys concerned, and keep away from accountability for their very own misconduct.
‘Sadly, these techniques are usually not new. Highly effective establishments typically attempt to discredit those that problem them—particularly when these challengers are Black girls. We noticed this similar strategy when the Suns publicly demeaned Andrea Trischan, a plaintiff in a separate lawsuit.
‘The group tried to mock her, undermine her credibility, and silence her voice. Now they’re doing the identical to Ms. Wright. The sample is obvious: when confronted with fact, the Suns select character assaults over self-reflection.’
The assertion continued: ‘It’s telling that as an alternative of permitting these issues to proceed via discovery and trial, the place info are examined and fact emerges, the Suns are selecting to litigate within the media. They’re issuing baseless accusations, distorting the report, and trying to intimidate those that are standing as much as them. What they describe as recruitment is in actuality a rising wave of people independently coming ahead, discovering energy in realizing they aren’t alone. That’s not manipulation. That’s justice in movement.
‘We won’t be distracted by private assaults. We won’t be intimidated by billion-dollar organizations. We’ll proceed to pursue justice for our purchasers with integrity, dedication, and the complete drive of the legislation. We belief the authorized course of. The reality will come out in court docket, not in press statements designed to bully and deflect.’
The Suns have been in one thing of a transitory state of their entrance workplace since being offered by former proprietor Robert Sarver in 2023.
Mat Ishbia, a former Michigan State basketball participant and the present CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage, purchased a 57 % stake within the Suns for over $2billion.
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