Mat Ishbia says Phoenix Suns lawsuits are a “money grab” at media day

Phoenix Suns proprietor Mat Ishbia dismissed a increasing stack of lawsuits against the franchise arsenic a “money grab,” telling reporters Wednesday helium is unconcerned astir the claims, which scope from favoritism to wrongful termination. “Anyone tin record a suit connected immoderate time they privation for immoderate crushed they want,” helium said. “Where I’m antithetic than astir palmy people… is we don’t settle. So if we don’t bash thing wrong, I’m not paying someone… Have fun. Cool. Write it.” He added: “I anticipation you guys each study connected however galore lawsuits we really lose. Because we haven’t mislaid 1 of them, and we’re not going to suffer immoderate of them.”

The franchise has faced aggregate suits since 2024. In August, 2 number owners sued Ishbia to get records, seeking clarity connected the team’s concern and finances.

A clump of employment claims

Several caller cases absorption connected employment practices. In May, erstwhile information manager Gene Traylor alleged discrimination, harassment, and unlawful retaliation; the Suns aboriginal confirmed his July termination, saying an extracurricular probe recovered violations of policies connected confidential information. Earlier successful July, erstwhile Mercury interim manager Nikki Blue sued, alleging unequal attraction based connected contention and gender, unequal wage based connected race, and retaliatory termination. In November, erstwhile Suns diversity, equity and inclusion manager Andrea Trischan filed a abstracted suit alleging radical favoritism and unlawful retaliation aft astir 10 months successful the relation crossed 2022–23.

Ishbia, a owe executive, bought a bulk involvement successful the Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury from Robert Sarver successful a $4 cardinal woody approved successful February 2023. Ishbia and his brother, Justin, said they acquired much than fractional of some franchises, including Sarver’s holdings and immoderate number stakes.

The number owners’ records request and the workplace suits volition proceed to trial the organization’s ineligible posture and nationalist messaging. Ishbia’s refusal to settee sets a confrontational people that could lengthen the disputes. For now, helium is betting that his stance volition clasp successful tribunal arsenic the play draws near.