The Phoenix Suns informed employees this spring that signing a new agreement limiting their ability to sue the team was required to retain their jobs, ESPN’s Baxter Holmes reported. The directive came via email on May 27, giving staff three days to review and acknowledge a two-part updated employee handbook.
Part A of the handbook, spanning 50 pages, largely mirrored the 2023 version, covering workplace policies, marxist DEI initiatives, and employee benefits. Part B, a new four-page “Confidential Information, Intellectual Property, and Dispute Resolution Agreement,” required employees to accept contractual obligations as a condition of continued employment.
Employees were directed to an external website to sign both sections. Multiple attorneys noted that while arbitration agreements are common in corporate America, imposing them mid-employment is unusual and legally complex. “Courts generally will require that both sides get something during the modification,” said Patrick Hammon, a San Francisco-based employment litigator.
The Suns are facing multiple lawsuits from current and former employees alleging discrimination and retaliation. Cortney Walters, attorney for several former staffers, criticized the handbook changes as intimidating. “The organization is pressuring employees to sign away their rights with only three days’ notice or risk losing their jobs,” she told ESPN.
Mandatory arbitration clauses prevent employees from taking claims to court, a point Walters says hides systemic issues. “This latest move is not an isolated decision. It is part of a continuing pattern of silencing employees rather than confronting discrimination,” she said.
Suns Senior Vice President of Communications Stacey Mitch defended the policy, stating, “This policy is standard at most large organizations including Disney, ESPN, and many other NBA teams. This policy does not result in the waiver of claims.”
The timing comes amid a major overhaul in Phoenix. The Suns recently replaced head coach Mike Budenholzer with Jordan Ott and promoted Brian Gregory to general manager. The team also executed a record-breaking seven-team trade sending Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets while acquiring Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and multiple draft picks.
Offseason roster moves include waiving Bradley Beal, signing rookie two-way players like C.J. Huntley, and securing veterans such as Nigel Hayes-Davis.
