Following a long investigation into workplace misconduct within the Phoenix Suns organization, the NBA announced Suns majority owner Robert Sarver has been fined $10 million and is suspended from the team for a period of one year, among other disciplinary measures.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Sarver’s actions were “indefensible,” but also that the lifetime ban levied against Donald Sterling in 2014 wasn’t an applicable punishment in this case, and that he doesn’t “have the right to take away his team.”
Via NBA.com:
“As stated in the report, the independent investigation found that Mr. Sarver “engaged in conduct that clearly violated common workplace standards, as reflected in team and League rules and policies. This conduct included the use of racially insensitive language; unequal treatment of female employees; sex-related statements and conduct; and harsh treatment of employees that on occasion constituted bullying.”
According to many players, however, the NBA failed in its response to the investigation. Former NBPA president Chris Paul tweeted he was “horrified and disgusted” by the findings of the investigation, and that the “sanctions fell short in truly addressing what we can all agree was atrocious behavior.”
Lakers superstar LeBron James also sounded off on the issue, tweeting there is “no place in this league for that kind of behavior.”
behavior. I love this league and I deeply respect our leadership. But this isn’t right. There is no place for misogyny, sexism, and racism in any work place. Don’t matter if you own the team or play for the team. We hold our league up as an example of our values and this aint it.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 14, 2022
