NBA Daily: Phoenix Suns Owner Meted 1-Year Suspension, Fined $10M
By Reylan Loberternos
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 14 Sep 2022
Robert Sarver.
The NBA announced the one-year suspension of Robert Sarver, owner of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, as a result of an investigation conducted by the league into the Suns franchise. The suspension also came with a $10 million fine.
The investigation, led by New York-based law firm Wachtell Lipton, was commissioned by the NBA immediately after allegations of racism and misogyny during Sarver’s 17-year tenure as Sun’s owner was detailed in an ESPN story that was published last November 4, 2021.
The investigation found that the Suns’ “repeated the N-word when recounting the statements of others,” at least five times. He was also found to have “engaged in instances of inequitable conduct toward female employees, made many sex-related comments in the workplace, made inappropriate comments about the physical appearance of female employees and other women, and on several occasions engaged in inappropriate physical conduct toward male employees.”
Sarver was also found to have “engaged in demeaning and harsh treatment of employees, including yelling and cursing at them.”
However, the press release noted that the investigation “made no finding that Mr. Sarver’s workplace misconduct was motivated by racial or gender-based animus.”
“The statements and conduct described in the findings of the independent investigation are troubling and disappointing. We believe the outcome is the right one, taking into account all facts, circumstances and context brought to light by the comprehensive investigation of this 18-year period and our commitment to upholding proper standards in NBA workplaces,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
“I am hopeful that the NBA community will use this opportunity to reflect on what this great game means to people everywhere and the values of equality, respect and inclusion that it strives to represent. Regardless of position, power or intent, we all need to recognize the corrosive and hurtful impact of racially insensitive and demeaning language and behavior. On behalf of the entire NBA, I apologize to all of those impacted by the misconduct outlined in the investigators’ report. We must do better,” he added.
During the course of Sarver’s year-long suspension, he is prohibited to “Be present at any NBA or WNBA team facility, including any office, arena, or practice facility.” He is also barred from “Attend or participate in any NBA or WNBA event or activity, including games, practices, or business partner activity.”
Sarver is also neither allowed to “Represent the Suns or Mercury in any public or private capacity” nor “Have any involvement with the business or basketball operations of the Suns or Mercury.”
Finally, he is also forbidden to “Have any involvement in the business, governance, or activities of either the NBA or WNBA, including attending or participating in meetings of either league’s Board (and their associated Board committees.”
This marks the third time since Adam Silver became NBA commissioner in 2014 that a team owner has been the center of a league-commissioned investigation.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Reylan Loberternos.
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