Phoenix Suns' employee resigned over alleged 'bullying' after sharing 'gender equity' concerns
As the NBA's investigation of Phoenix Suns team owner Robert Sarver is reportedly drawing closer to an end, ESPN reported on Tuesday Melissa Fender Panagiotakopoulos resigned last month, alleging she experienced bullying from team supervisors after sharing concerns about gender equity and misconduct within the franchise.
A Suns employee since 2007, Panagiotakopoulos emailed in her resignation on May 20 to 16 members of the ownership group, including 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."
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.
More: Phoenix Suns adding Toronto Raptors assistant Patrick Mutombo to coaching staff
Toxic work culture
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.
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?"
Sources informed The Republic last month the investigation was "ongoing."
Then last week, Yahoo! Sports reported NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the investigation was near closure.
“No, no update other than we’re getting close to the end,” Silver told Yahoo Sports. “There’s no question about it. It’s a complex investigation. There are hundreds of people who are involved and need to be interviewed. And we also want to make sure we protect the rights of everyone involved. So these things by nature, I know what frustrates people, do seem to take a lot of time, but we’re certainly getting very close to the end.”
A 'dark cloud' over the Suns
The Suns won a franchise-record 64 games in the regular season amid the investigation, but starting power forward Jae Crowder described it as "a dark cloud" over the team during the season.
"That dark cloud is definitely over our heads, but at the same time, we have a job to do," Crowder said in March. "As players, when you sign that contract, you've got a job to win as many games as you can at the highest level that you can. I think we have a good focus on that and I think our coaching staff does a great job of just keeping us locked in on the goal and our goal is to win a championship at the end of the day."
The top-seeded Suns lost in the Western Conference semifinals to the fourth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in seven games.
This latest ESPN story comes after The Athletic reported last week an unnamed Suns player and multiple support staff tested positive for COVID-19 around that time.
The player reportedly tested positive the day after Game 7.
The Republic reported hours after Game 7 assistant coach Bryan Gates was placed in the league's health and safety protocols. Gates tested positive after Game 6, The Athletic reported, as there were two days between Game 6 and Game 7.
The Suns declined comment about that report.
'My job has grown more intolerable'
A week later came the resignation of Panagiotakopoulos, who was senior premium experience manager for the Suns.
She wrote 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."
Related: Before Sarver's resignation from Western Alliance, bank cited him as possible risk
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns employee resigns over 'toxic and misogynistic workplace'
