AP – Former Mercury interim HC Nikki Blue accuses team in lawsuit of racial and gender discrimination

Originally reported by David Brandt of the Associated Press – In a lawsuit filed against the Mercury on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Arizona, former Mercury interim head coach Nikki Blue’s lawyers alleged unequal pay based on race, unequal treatment based on race and gender, and that she was let go in retaliation for complaints about unequal treatment.

Blue, who is Black, was an assistant coach under Vanessa Nygaard, who is white, and took over as interim head coach after Nygaard’s midseason firing after a 2-10 start to the 2023 season. Blue finished her interim stint with a 7-21 record that year.

The suit claims Nygaard made $375,000 while Blue was paid $250,000 as the interim head coach.

Former Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbetts, who is white, was hired as Mercury head coach the following year for a reported $1,000,000 per year. Blue was not retained in any capacity.

Blue added that the organization made roster decisions that made the team noncompetitive, setting her up for failure:

“Despite her exemplary record and professionalism, Ms. Blue was cast aside, demeaned, and denied the opportunity to lead,” the law firm Mesidor PLLC, co-counsel on the case, 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.”

One of Blue’s lawyers, Sheree Wright, has filed a handful of suits against the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and the Mercury over the last couple seasons.

Stacey Mitch, Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury Senior Vice President of Communications, released a statement in response:

“This is the fifth lawsuit brought against the organization by Sheree Wright, an attorney who has been disciplined twice by the Supreme Court of Arizona for committing numerous violations of the rules of professional conduct—including making false and unsupported allegations of racial bias against a judge.  

Like Ms. Wright’s other cases, this case is completely meritless.  Ms. Blue was interviewed and considered for the head coach position, but she didn’t get the position based on her performance as interim head coach, as well as her limited professional coaching experience. 

Sheree Wright’s continued abuse of the legal system for financial gain is unethical.”

Sports360AZ will continue to report on this story as it develops.