Phoenix Suns employee resigns, after reporting concerns about toxic and misogynistic culture / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Phoenix Suns Credit Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns former employee Melissa Fender Panagiotakopoulos resigned last month, alleging she experienced bullying from team supervisors after sharing concerns about gender equity and misconduct within the franchise, ESPN reported.

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Working for the Suns since 2007, Panagiotakopoulos sent her resignation on May 20 to 16 members of the ownership group, including Phoenix Suns team owner Robert Sarver, that called upon them to address "a toxic and misogynistic workplace culture" within the organization. The ESPN report said Panagiotakopoulos wrote the Suns have "never been more dysfunctional, and the culture is rapidly eroding."

Panagiotakopoulos, who was senior premium experience manager for the Suns, wrote that her concerns were dismissed to the point she was once told to "take a cold shower," ESPN reported.

"My job has grown more intolerable and toxic than ever," Panagiotakopoulos said in the ESPN report. Panagiotakopoulos wrote her leadership has bullied her in reaction to the "confidential" conversations she had with the organization's leadership. She added the organization "excluded" her from client dinners, "scrutinized my every move, decision, and email with excruciating levels of micromanagement."

Addressing what she felt was gender discrimination, Panagiotakopoulos asked, "Is it a coincidence that I have been the only mother in the entire sales organization for the last 15 years? Is it because certain males were being paid more in equivalent roles?"

In response, the Suns issued this statement to ESPN: "We have been made aware of allegations by a former employee and are investigating them, consistent with our Respect in the Workplace Policy. The Phoenix Suns are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment free of discrimination and harassment, and we do not tolerate retaliation for the reporting of alleged misconduct."

Panagiotakopoulos didn't specifically note issues with Sarver or name an individual employee, but mentioned several allegations that reflect "the character of our leadership," according to the ESPN report. The NBA launched an investigation of Sarver in reaction to an ESPN report last November of allegations of racism and misogyny against Sarver, claiming he created a "toxic" work environment within the Suns' organization.

Sarver has denied the allegations and said he welcomed the league's investigation.

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