Phoenix Suns Dismiss Director Amid Legal Action
In a significant development, the Phoenix Suns have dismissed Gene Traylor, their director of safety, security, and risk management, who has initiated legal action against the organization on charges of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Traylor, who began his tenure with the team in January 2023, was terminated on Friday.
Details of the Termination
Stacey Mitch, the Suns’ Senior Vice President of Communications, stated in a release to ESPN that the franchise typically refrains from commenting on employment matters but added that Traylor’s termination was made public by him or his attorney.
“Mr. Traylor was let go after an independent investigation revealed that he breached company protocols regarding sensitive security information and was dishonest during the inquiry,”
Mitch explained.
Legal Representation and Response
Traylor’s legal representation consists of attorneys Sheree Wright and Courtney Walters, the latter of whom responded sharply to the Suns’ remarks, asserting,
“Neither Mr. Traylor nor his attorneys shared news of his termination. This narrative pushed by the Suns is a tactic to divert attention from the severe allegations outlined in our lawsuit. The so-called ‘independent investigation’ was merely a guise, and we intend to request all related documentation as part of our discovery process. We remain committed to supporting our client throughout the legal proceedings.”
Background of the Lawsuit
Traylor’s lawsuit, filed mid-May in U.S. District Court in Arizona, is part of a larger trend, as this marks the fifth civil suit against the organization from current and former employees within a mere ten months. The latest lawsuit before Traylor’s came in July, when former Phoenix Mercury interim head coach Nikki Blue accused the team of race and gender discrimination along with retaliation.
Claims of Retaliation and Security Concerns
Traylor has claimed in his suit that a major responsibility in his role involved identifying safety and reputational risks for the Suns. He presented management with a report highlighting various security vulnerabilities concerning the team’s arena, a document that reportedly led to retaliation, including an alleged demotion nearly a year afterward. Additionally, he has alleged that the organization discouraged him from taking medical leave after he received a cancer diagnosis.
The lawsuit references security tests conducted by the Phoenix Police Department’s Homeland Defense Bureau, which highlighted deficiencies in the Suns’ arena security. On two occasions, officers were able to smuggle weapons into the venue undetected during routine tests of arena safety protocols. Following these incidents, the NBA conducted a surprise security audit in February 2025, which Traylor claims the Suns failed. He alleges that these audits were part of a series of failures since 2024, while team insiders contradict this, asserting that the Suns have never failed a security audit.
Organizational Response
A Suns representative previously assured ESPN,
“Safety for our guests is our foremost concern. We regularly implement security assessments as a standard procedure in the industry, and we strive to surpass all safety requirements.”
Ongoing Scrutiny
As this legal matter unfolds, the Suns are facing increasing scrutiny over ongoing claims about their workplace culture and security procedures, drawing attention from both the media and the legal system.
