Two former employees sue Kristaps Porziņģis's club Golden State Warriors

Two former Golden State Warriors employees, Lisa Shelley and Jennifer Vasquez, have filed a lawsuit against the NBA franchise in San Francisco County court, alleging discrimination, retaliation and a hostile work environment.

Shelley joined the Warriors in 2021, serving as associate general counsel and later as director of business, legal affairs and risk management. Vasquez held the role of vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion. Both were let go in late 2025 and early this year — Shelley in connection with a restructuring of the legal department, Vasquez after her position was eliminated.

Allegations

Despite strong performance — including once being named employee of the month and earning roughly four million dollars during her tenure — Shelley claims she was never promoted, while a less experienced male colleague was. She also says the department head was absent from her termination meeting, allegedly violating company policy. Vasquez says she refused to voluntarily resign before being dismissed.

Both women allege that the club's head of human resources repeatedly criticized female employees' bodies, physical appearance and clothing choices, with women of larger build reportedly targeted disproportionately. Shelley further claims she lost a job offer from the Los Angeles Clippers after the Warriors, when contacted for a reference, allegedly made false and disparaging statements about her, leading to the withdrawal of a conditional offer she had received in June.

Club's response

The Warriors have denied all the allegations, stating that many of the claims have already been reviewed or investigated and found to be unsubstantiated. The organization says it is committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace built on mutual respect and professionalism, and intends to defend itself in court.

Last season, the Warriors acquired Latvian basketball player Kristaps Porziņģis in a trade, and he is set to remain with the team next season. The franchise has won seven NBA championships in its history, four of them between 2015 and 2022.