The Phoenix Suns fired Gene Traylor, their director of security, safety and threat administration, on Friday after he filed a discrimination lawsuit towards the group, ESPN has realized. Traylor joined the crew in January 2023 and sued the Suns in federal courtroom in Could.
The group cited coverage violations relating to confidential safety data as the explanation for termination. An impartial investigation concluded Traylor was “deliberately untruthful” with investigators, in accordance with crew officers.
Traylor’s authorized crew disputed the Suns’ rationalization, calling the investigation a “pretext” for retaliation. Lawyer Courtney Walters stated the termination was rooted in retaliation reasonably than coverage violations.
“The so-called ‘impartial investigation’ was a pretext and a handy cowl to justify a termination rooted in retaliation, not reality,” Walters stated.
The attorneys plan to file a discovery request for all supplies associated to the investigation that led to Traylor’s firing.
Traylor’s lawsuit detailed a number of safety audit failures on the Suns’ area. Phoenix Police carried out area checks in December 2023 and December 2024, with officers efficiently bringing weapons into video games undetected.
The NBA additionally carried out a shock safety audit in February 2025 that the Suns reportedly failed. Three crew sources advised ESPN the group has failed a number of league safety audits since 2024.
Traylor represents the fifth present or former worker to file a federal lawsuit towards the Suns in a 10-month span. The newest case concerned former Mercury coach Nikki Blue alleging discrimination and retaliation.
