Robert Sarver wants the NBA Phoenix Suns and WNBA Phoenix Mercury off his hands and has begun selling both teams.
Sarver’s move arrived just eight days after he was suspended for creating a hostile work environment by using racist speech and inappropriate behavior toward his employees. The 60-year-old feels that cancel culture is “unforgiving,” which has forced him to make the decision to sell his teams, which he’s owned for over two decades.
“But in our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that that is no longer possible. That whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past,” Sarver shared in a statement. He went on to add that he “deeply” regrets his remarks. The Suns and the Mercury feel that Sarver selling the teams is in the best interest of everyone.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) September 21, 2022
Last week, Sarver was fined $10 million and suspended for a year for using the “N-word” in front of Black players and staff members and berating a staff member in front of others. He claimed females cried too much and continued insulting the woman. Many players, including LeBron James, put pressure on the NBA to remove Sarver as the owner of the teams. PayPal, a Suns sponsor, threatened to end the team sponsorship if Sarver remained in his position.
The comments and behavior were uncovered during an investigation that included 320 interviews with current and former employees of Sarver. Emails, text messages, and videos also painted the picture of a racist team owner who demeaned those who worked for him and with him.
It is unclear who the potential new owner of both teams will be.
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