Suns security director files lawsuit claiming retaliation after reporting weapons breaches

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The Phoenix Suns are being sued by a current staff member for alleged discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

Gene Traylor, the organization’s director of safety, security, and risk management, claims in his lawsuit that the team demoted him following a presentation regarding potential safety concerns surrounding the Sun and Mercury of the WNBA.

One instance the lawsuit included was when two plainclothes officers were able to bring a knife into a game on Dec. 17, 2023, in a test run by the Phoenix Police Department’s Homeland Defense Bureau. Nearly a year later, in a similar test, two handguns and a knife made their way through security.

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The Phoenix Suns logo on the court before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Footprint Center.  (Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

The suit also alleges that the Suns failed an audit by the NBA.

The Suns said the allegations are "delusional and categorically false."

"Guest safety is our top priority," a Suns spokeswoman said in a statement to ESPN. "We continue to meet and exceed safety expectations. We regularly conduct security tests, which is standard across the industry. We have used these proactive measures to ensure we are operating at the highest level of safety and preparedness."

Traylor also showed concern for a part-time employee apparently stealing $40,000 worth of merchandise, a "disgruntled subject" interrupting a team photo-op, and a political provocateur approaching Brittney Griner.

Footprint Center before a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns.  (Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

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