Former Phoenix Mercury Interim Coach Sues Team Alleging Racial and Gender Discrimination

Lawyers for former Phoenix Mercury interim coach Nikki Blue have filed a lawsuit against the organization, alleging unequal treatment based on race and gender, unequal pay based on race and that her employment was terminated in retaliation for complaints about unequal treatment.

The suit was filed on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Arizona.

Blue, who is Black, was hired in 2022 as an assistant coach and was named the team’s interim coach in June 2023 after Vanessa Nygaard was fired midseason. Blue had a 7-21 record in the interim role.

Blue was not retained after the season. The Mercury hired Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbets, who is white.

Read more at AP News