Source: Christian Petersen / Getty
On Tuesday, the NBA suspended Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver for allegations stemming from a 2021 ESPN article that accused the businessman of racial and verbal misconduct. The organization slammed Sarver with a year-long suspension and a $10 million fine following an investigation into The Sun’s franchise, reports noted.
During his 18-year-tenure with the team, Sarver reportedly used the N-word at least five times “when recounting the statements of others,” officials from the NBA said. The investigation also uncovered multiple “instances of inequitable conduct toward female employees.” The probe, which was spearheaded by the New York-based law firm Wachtell Lipton, found that the sports entrepreneur made several “sex-related comments” to female staffers, some of which were “inappropriate” remarks about their appearances. He also used harsh and demeaning language toward employees during his reign over The Suns. Officials from the law firm said that Sarver “clearly violated common workplace standards, as reflected in team and league rules and policies.”
More than 320 current and former staffers were interviewed for the investigation. NBA officials also examined over 80,000 documents tied to Sarver including emails, text messages, and videos, the report, which was made public, noted.
Robert Sarver fully cooperated with the investigation, but according to a statement released through The Suns, the businessman said he disagreed “with some of the particulars of the NBA report.”
” I would like to apologize for my words and actions that offended our employees. 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,” the statement read, adding, “I accept the consequences of the NBA’s decision. 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.”
Source: Calls Grow For N-Word Spewing NBA Owner To Be Removed After League Gave Him ‘Slap On The Wrist’
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