Suns vice chairman and minority owner Jahm Najafi has penned an open letter to the organization demanding Robert Sarver steps down after the Suns and Mercury owner received a one-year suspension for workplace misconduct.
In a letter obtained by AZCentral’s Duane Rankin, Najafi, who owns the second-largest stake in the team, addressed the findings of the league’s investigation into Sarver’s behavior before calling for his resignation from the club. The NBA announced Tuesday Sarver had been suspended and fined $10 million after it was revealed that he consistently acted inappropriately toward employees and made racist and sexually abusive remarks towards employees among other lewd acts over the past 18 years.
“I cannot in good judgment sit back and allow our children and future generations of fans think that this behavior is tolerated because of wealth and privilege,” Najafi wrote. “Therefore, in accordance with my commitment to helping eradicate any form of racism, sexism and bias, as Vice Chairman of the Phoenix Suns, I am calling for the resignation of Robert Sarver. While I have no interest in becoming the managing partner, I will work tirelessly to ensure the next team steward treats all stakeholders with dignity, professionalism and respect.”
