Lawsuit Against LA Sparks, Ex-GM Claims Wrongful Termination

Former Los Angeles Sparks general manager, Toler, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit in the California Superior Court in Los Angeles County against both the franchise itself and the former COO Christine Simmons. Proceedings for the wrongful termination case are scheduled to start August 20th, 2020. 

Former General Manager Filed Wrongful Termination Complaint:

Toler, LA Spark’s former general manager, filed the wrongful termination lawsuit in March 2020, right before the courts were shut down in response to California’s emergency declaration due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The discovery phase of the case begins in August 2020. Toler claims that LA Sparks managing partner, Eric Holoman, wrongfully terminated her in October after an ESPN report that Toler used the “N-word” in the locker room after a playoff loss.

Toler Claims Termination Stemmed from Confrontations Regarding Toxic Work Environment:

Toler claims that the media report was used as an excuse to terminate her from her position, but that she was actually fired because she persisted in confronting the toxic work environment created due to an affair between Holoman and Simmons and alleged sexual misconduct on the part of Brian Agler, the team’s former head coach.

Calling the WNBA Out for Silence on the Toler Issue Amidst Black Lives Matter Movement:

Toler’s claims pit one of the WNBA’s original executives against the franchise she ran for decades and calls the leagues handling of Agler, its commitment of equity, and its support of equality into question. Toler’s attorney questions whether the WNBA can have an honest conversation about race and equality in the WNBA without looking into the issues of the Toler wrongful termination case. Toler’s legal counsel also pointed out that it’s shocking to hear the silence from the WNBA on the Toler issue while they simultaneously make comments about Black Lives Matter and equality…he suggests they look to their own house first.

The History of the Toler Wrongful Termination Case:

According to Toler, Simmons’ presence in the organization after resigning as COO in December 2018 created difficulty for Toler to perform her duties as a general manager. After leaving the Sparks for positions as COO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and as regent for the University of California system, supposedly continued the extra-marital affair with Holoman, Sparks managing partner, and a close friendship with Candace Parker (franchise star). Toler was left with Holoman as the cause of her difficulties on the job, as well as the only person she could turn to for help with the problem. Toler also claims that she was inhibited while attempting to construct the Sparks roster because it was made clear to her that Parker was off-limits in any trade discussions. Toler alleges gender discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, wrongful termination, non-payment of wages, and unfair business practices.

If you need to file a discrimination lawsuit or if you need to discuss other employment law violations, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik DeBlouw LLP. Experienced employment law attorneys are ready to assist you in any one of various law firm offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Chicago.