Suns Owner Mat Ishbia Calls Ongoing Lawsuits a ‘Money Grab’
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Phoenix — Phoenix Suns majority owner Mat Ishbia said Wednesday he is unconcerned about a string of lawsuits targeting the franchise, dismissing the claims as a “money grab” during the team’s media day.
“Anyone can file a lawsuit on any day they want for any reason they want,” Ishbia told reporters. “We don’t settle. If we didn’t do anything wrong, I’m not paying someone.”
The organization has faced several legal challenges since 2024:
- August 2025: Two minority owners sued Ishbia, seeking access to team records to review the club’s business and financial status.
- July 2025: Former security manager Gene Traylor was dismissed after an outside investigation. Traylor had sued in May, alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
- July 2025: Former Phoenix Mercury interim coach Nikki Blue filed suit claiming unequal treatment and pay based on race and gender, and that her contract ended after she objected to that treatment.
- November 2024: Ex-manager of diversity, equity and inclusion Andrea Trischan alleged racial discrimination and retaliation that led to her termination.
Ishbia emphasized that the franchise has not lost any of the cases filed and said he expects that trend to continue. “I hope you guys report on how many lawsuits we actually lose,” he said. “We haven’t lost one of them, and we’re not going to lose any of them.”
The mortgage executive acquired a controlling stake in the Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury for $4 billion in a deal approved in February 2023, purchasing the entirety of Robert Sarver’s shares along with portions from other minority partners.
Source: ESPN
