By Michael Macasero
USC Trojans assistant coach Nikki Blue is coming after the Phoenix Mercury, according to AP sports writer David Brandt. Blue was named interim coach in June 2023 following Vanessa Nygaard鈥檚 dismissal. The former WNBA player could not keep the job after the team signed Nate Tibbetts as the head coach in October of that year.Brandt detailed the alleged 鈥渦nequal treatment based on race and gender and unequal pay based on race accusations鈥:鈥淭he suit claims that Blue was paid $250,000 in her interim role, which was less than the $375,000 that Nygaard, who is white, was making. Tibbets [also white] is reportedly making more than $1 million per season.鈥漀ikki Blue arrived in the summer of 2022 to serve as an assistant coach to Vanessa Nygaard. Following a 2-10 start to the 2023 season, worst in the NBA in that span, the Phoenix Mercury announced Nygaard鈥檚 firing.Mercury legend Diana Taurasi said after their 10th loss that she didn鈥檛 know what was happening. Taurasi suggested in the postgame conference after a 97-74 loss to the Seattle Storm to 鈥渢ear鈥 the team down and 鈥渞ebuild it back up.鈥漈he Phoenix Mercury made a coaching change, elevating Blue to interim coach. Phoenix did not do much better under her guidance. Blue鈥檚 7-21 record prompted the Mercury to look elsewhere. In October 2023, they pried Nate Tibbetts from the Orlando Magic in the NBA to be their head coach.Phoenix Mercury senior vice president responds to Nikki Blue鈥檚 allegationsNikki Blue鈥檚 allegations quickly created a storm on social media. With racism hounding the WNBA, it did not take long for the report about her lawsuit to spread.Stacey Mitch, the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury senior vice president of communications responded:鈥淢s. Blue was interviewed and considered for the head coach position but didn鈥檛 get the position based on her performance as interim head coach, as well as her limited professional coaching experience…Sheree Wright鈥檚 continued abuse of the legal system for financial gain is unethical.鈥漈he Mercury are unfazed by the accusations made by Wright on behalf of Nikki Blue. They are standing by their ground that there was no racial bias during the hiring, compensation and termination of the team鈥檚 former interim coach.