A former athletic trainer for the Sacramento Kings, Crystal Lee, has filed a lawsuit against the Kings and senior director Jaspreet Randhawa, citing pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination. Lee claims she was demoted while pregnant, faced reduced responsibilities upon returning from maternity leave, and experienced harassment from coaching staff. The Kings organization denies the allegations, asserting a commitment to a respectful workplace and plans to defend against the claims. Sources indicate that Lee did not report the alleged harassment during her employment and had requested a role change with maintained pay despite differing duties.

By the Numbers
  • Lee worked with the Kings from 2022 to 2025.
  • She was demoted in April 2023, and her full-time assistant role was filled by another hire before the 2023/24 season.
Yes, But

While Lee's allegations of discrimination and harassment are serious, the Kings firmly deny these claims and emphasize Lee's lack of formal complaints during her time with the team, which may complicate her case.

State of Play
  • The Kings plan to vigorously defend against the lawsuit in court.
  • Legal proceedings are ongoing, and the organization maintains its stance on employee treatment and workplace standards.
What's Next

As the legal battle unfolds, both parties will prepare their cases, and the outcome could impact workplace policies within the Kings organization and potentially set precedents for similar cases in sports environments.

Bottom Line

This lawsuit highlights significant issues regarding workplace discrimination and harassment in professional sports, raising awareness of the need for safe and equitable work environments for all employees.