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A senior staff member fired by the Phoenix Suns is now suing the organization for discrimination, retaliation and harassment, marking the fifth federal lawsuit filed against the team by a current or former employee in under a year.
Gene Traylor, who served as Director of Safety, Security and Risk Management at the NBA team since January 2023, was fired following an independent investigation, said the Suns.
“Mr. Traylor was terminated from his position as a security manager because an independent, outside investigation concluded that he violated company policies with respect to confidential information about security operations and he was intentionally untruthful with the investigator,” said Stacey Mitch, Senior Vice President of Communications.
She added: “While the organization typically does not comment on internal personnel matters, Mr. Traylor, or his attorney, Sheree Wright, apparently opted to publicize his termination.”
Traylor’s attorneys disputed that account. In a statement, lawyer Courtney Walters said: “Neither Mr. Traylor nor his attorneys publicized his termination. The Suns' attempt to deflect by pushing a false narrative is part of a pattern and a clear effort to shift focus away from the serious claims in this lawsuit.”
The legal complaint alleges that the termination followed Traylor’s presentation to leadership in 2023 outlining safety, financial and reputational risks. The lawsuit states that management responded by retaliating against him, including demoting him nearly a year later and discouraging him from taking protected leave following a cancer diagnosis.
Security concerns raised amid legal fight
Traylor’s lawsuit also details serious security issues at the Suns’ arena. According to the complaint, in December 2023, the Phoenix Police Department’s Homeland Defense Bureau conducted a field test in which two plain clothes officers entered the arena during a game with valid tickets while concealing weapons. One knife was successfully brought in.
A second test, conducted in December 2024, reportedly allowed two handguns and another knife through security. ESPN obtained documentation of both tests. The lawsuit further claims the team failed an NBA-conducted security audit in February 2025.
A team spokeswoman told ESPN: “Guest safety is our top priority. We continue to meet and exceed safety expectations. We regularly conduct security tests, which is standard across the industry.”
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Workplace claims mount at Suns organization
The legal filing from Traylor follows another case lodged in July by attorneys for former Phoenix Mercury interim coach Nikki Blue, alleging race and gender discrimination and retaliation.
All told, there have been five civil lawsuits filed in federal court against the organization by current or former employees in a 10-month span.
The latest lawsuit came in July, when attorneys representing former Phoenix Mercury interim coach Nikki Blue filed a lawsuit against the organization, alleging race and gender discrimination as well as retaliation.
