Since Mat Ishbia purchased the Phoenix Suns nearly three years in the past, the franchise has been caught up in drama on and off the court docket. Forward of the brand new season, the billionaire proprietor gave his ideas on the crew’s current authorized battles.
Whereas the group has not owned as much as any wrongdoing, it has been the sufferer of a number of lawsuits from present and previous workers. The allegations stem from issues resembling wrongful termination, harassment and lots of different points.
On Wednesday, Ishbia addressed the media as a part of the Phoenix Suns’ media day. Among the many issues he was requested about was the group being focused by an array of lawsuits. Ishbia spoke confidently of his observe document in the case of authorized battles and is assured that the group has executed nothing improper.
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“The best way I take a look at it’s, I am not gonna ever settle with anybody. You’ll be able to’t come and leverge me, or leverge the Phoenix Suns to settle,” Ishbia mentioned. “If we do one thing improper, we come clean with it. We did not do something improper, file the lawsuit, let the courrt play it out.”
Whereas the Suns take care of lawsuits, the new-look roster may also be making an attempt to get the franchise again on observe in 2026.
Phoenix Suns going to new measures to restrict lawsuits
Primarily based on his media day remarks, Ishbia is assured the Phoenix Suns will overcome their present scenario on the authorized entrance. Nevertheless, given the present panorama of issues, the group is taking new strides to restrict its lawsuits.
Earlier this week, ESPN’s Baxter Holmes reported on some ongoing modifications throughout the crew’s infrastructure. Forward of the upcoming season, the Suns have made important updates to their worker handbook.
As a part of the brand new handbook, workers needed to signal an settlement that hinders them from taking authorized motion towards the group because it pertains to workforce disputes.
“The Phoenix Suns, whereas going through a number of lawsuits from present and former workers, informed workers this spring that with a view to retain their jobs they wanted to signal an settlement limiting their capability to sue the crew over workforce issues, a number of crew sources informed ESPN.”
Among the many largest modifications to the handbook needed to do with confidential info. The settlement said that each one authorized disputes will now be settled by means of arbitration.
ESPN couldn’t affirm what number of workers agreed to the Suns’ new requirements. Nonetheless, Ishbia seems to be cracking down in hopes of placing an finish to their fixed authorized battles.
Edited by Kevin McCormick