Report: Ex-Mercury coach files race, gender discrimination suit against the organization

Story by Dana Scott, Arizona Republic

The Phoenix Mercury were hit with a lawsuit filed in Arizona against the franchise from the team's former interim coach Nikki Blue's legal team on Thursday, July 3, per the Associated Press.

The suit alleges discrimination based on race and gender, unequal pay and wrongful termination in retaliation for complaints about unequal treatment against Blue, who's Black.

“Despite her exemplary record and professionalism, Ms. Blue was cast aside, demeaned, and denied the opportunity to lead,” the law firm Mesidor PLLC representing Blue said in a statement. “This lawsuit is not just about one woman’s career — it’s about the pervasive, institutional disrespect for Black women in sports leadership.”

Blue was hired by the Mercury as an assistant coach under Vanessa Nygaard in March 2022.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/report-ex-mercury-coach-files-race-gender-discrimination-suit-against-the-organization/ar-AA1HYYVl

Seems like the Suns/Mercury owner is having similar problems as the last owner that was forced to sell the teams.