The NBA has suspended Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Robert Sarver for one year, plus fined him $10m. It was after an investigation found that he had engaged in what the league called “workplace misconduct and organizational deficiencies”.
Allegations are that he had a history of misogynistic, racist, and hostile incidents
This comes nearly a year after the league initially contacted a law firm to get to the bottom of several allegations leveled against Sarver that claimed that he had a history of misogynistic, racist, and hostile incidents.
The report said Sarver “repeated or purported to repeat the N-word on at least five occasions spanning his tenure with the Suns,” though added that the investigation “makes no finding that Sarver used this racially insensitive language with the intent to demean or denigrate”.
The study also concluded that Sarver used demeaning language toward female employees, including telling a pregnant employee that she would not be able to do her job after becoming a mother; making off-color comments and jokes about sex and anatomy, and yelling and cursing at employees in ways that would be considered bullying “under workplace standards”.
“I take full responsibility for what I have done”: Sarver
Sarver, who has been at the helm of the franchise for over two decades, found himself disagreeing with certain findings of the investigation. Sarver said he will “accept the consequences of the league’s decision” and apologized for “words and actions that offended our employees”, though noted he disagreed with some of the report’s findings.
Sarver also issued a statement after finding himself at the receiving end of the heftiest fine that is allowed by the NBA. “I take full responsibility for what I have done. I am sorry for causing this pain, and these errors in judgment are not consistent with my personal philosophy or my values.
“This moment is an opportunity for me to demonstrate a capacity to learn and grow as we continue to build a working culture where every employee feels comfortable and valued,” said Sarver.
