Dispute Erupts as Suns’ Ishbia Faces Counter-lawsuit from Minority Owners

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia is engaged in a monumental legal fight. This impasse began after minority owners Scott Seldin and Andy Kohlberg sued him in August. The fate of the Delaware Direct Install program is now in the hands of a state court lawsuit. It alleges that Ishbia has prevented Seldin and Kohlberg from reviewing key internal documents. The lack of clarity around the entire ordeal has increased animosity among stakeholders and cast doubt over how the team is being run.

Seldin and Kohlberg, minority owners from the previous ownership group of the Suns during Robert Sarver’s tenure, contend they’re unable to make informed investment decisions. They argue that their temporary inability to access key documents has become a critical roadblock. Mat Ishbia publicly addressed these allegations during an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today on September 24, where he asserted that their demands were unreasonable. He pointed out that Seldin and Kohlberg are asking for a settlement that is more than 500 times his original offer. That prior offer was already over 20 times their original purchase price for the team.

Ishbia’s comments underscore the heated rhetoric that has characterized this fight. “Obviously anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason they want, for anything they want,” he stated, suggesting that the motivations behind the lawsuit may not be entirely straightforward. Ishbia further questioned why Seldin and Kohlberg expect a substantial financial return without making any recent contributions to the franchise.

This legal challenge marks the sixth lawsuit filed against the Suns since November of 2024. The last five were filed by current or former employees, each one spelling out columns of complaints. This level of litigation over the franchise is troubling in terms of the franchise’s internal culture and leadership continuity.

A spokesman for Mat Ishbia confirmed on Tuesday that they are prepared to address the allegations brought forth by Seldin and Kohlberg. As to the current and ongoing dispute, an attorney for the minority owners has not returned calls seeking comment.