Another Lawsuit Rocks the Franchise
The Phoenix Suns are facing renewed legal scrutiny after Gene Traylor, the team’s director of safety, security, and risk management, filed a federal lawsuit in Arizona. Traylor alleges the franchise retaliated against him following a 2023 report he submitted detailing internal security failures.
After presenting the findings to management, Traylor claims he was demoted and discouraged from taking medical leave — even after receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Alarming Incidents at the Core of the Complaint
Traylor’s presentation highlighted three specific events that exposed organizational risk:
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A part-time employee allegedly stole over $40,000 in merchandise.
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A disgruntled individual disrupted an executive-attended team event.
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A political influencer harassed Brittney Griner at an airport, delaying a Mercury team flight.
The Suns responded by questioning the credibility of Traylor’s attorney, Sheree Wright. They referenced past disciplinary actions taken against her by the Arizona Supreme Court and described the lawsuit as “delusional and categorically false.”
Security Failures Trigger Federal Attention
The complaint also details multiple failed security tests. According to Traylor, undercover Phoenix Police officers entered the arena with weapons during two separate audits. Additionally, a surprise NBA audit in February 2025 reportedly exposed security gaps — a claim the team denies.
Despite that denial, Traylor submitted complaints to both the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Arizona’s Attorney General.
Suns’ Legal Woes Continue to Mount
Traylor’s complaint joins a growing list of legal actions involving the organization:
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Andrea Trischan seeks $60 million in damages for alleged harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination.
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Jason Cope claims age-based discrimination and misclassification.
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Jane Doe accuses a former executive of racial and gender-based harassment.
Attorneys Wright and Courtney Walters assert that all lawsuits are supported by credible evidence and witnesses. The Suns, in turn, allege that Wright is actively recruiting plaintiffs to build a meritless legal campaign.
A Culture in Question — Again
This wave of legal action comes in the shadow of the 2022 NBA investigation into former owner Robert Sarver. That probe resulted in a one-year suspension and a $10 million fine. At the time, the league mandated internal reforms, and current owner Mat Ishbia pledged to rebuild the franchise’s culture.
“We’re going to start with culture and team,” Ishbia stated in 2023. “I want to make this the best place to work.”
However, the continued lawsuits, combined with internal complaints like those raised by former team specialist Vicente Gonzales on LinkedIn, indicate the franchise may still be falling short of that goal.
Final Word
While the Suns claim compliance with all NBA workplace standards, the ongoing stream of legal challenges raises deeper concerns. As more internal voices come forward and lawsuits pile up, the narrative surrounding the franchise shifts further from reform and closer toward continued crisis.
