Warriors accused of gender and race discrimination in troubling workplace lawsuit

The Warriors are facing a legal fight just weeks before training camp, with two former employees accusing the organization of discrimination, retaliation and fostering a hostile workplace.Former associate general counsel Lisa Shelley, who is also professionally known as Lisa Meyer, and former vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion Jennifer Vasquez filed the lawsuit Aug.25 in San Francisco County Superior Court.The complaint alleges a workplace “marked by discrimination, hostility and retaliation” and includes claims involving gender, race and age discrimination, as well as defamation.The Warriors strongly denied the allegations.“The lawsuit filed by two former employees contains allegations that are false, misleading, and unsupported by credible evidence,” the organization said in a statement.

Golden State added that many of the complaints had previously been investigated and “found to be without merit.”Shelley worked for the Warriors beginning in 2021 and eventually held responsibilities spanning legal affairs and risk management.According to the lawsuit, she raised concerns about workplace practices and the handling of a 2025 employee-engagement survey that workers allegedly had been told would be anonymous.After the survey produced poor marks for several departments, the lawsuit claims an executive attempted to determine who had submitted critical responses.Shelley was fired in December 2025 as the Warriors told her their legal department was being “reimagined,” according to the complaint.She also alleges Golden State later damaged her prospects of landing a job with the Clippers by providing “false and damaging” information when contacted as a reference.

Shelley claims she received a conditional offer from Los Angeles in June before it was withdrawn.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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