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| Robert Sarver |
Just over a week after being suspended by the NBA for a year for abusive behavior and fined $10 million, Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver has decided to cut ties with the league.
Sarver, the majority stakeholder for both the Suns and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, announced today he is selling both teams in order not to be a distraction to them.
"As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness. I expected that the commissioner's one-year suspension would provide the time for me to focus, make amends and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love," said Sarver, who was found in the NBA's probe of his conduct to have said the N-word at least five times, in a statement.
Robert Sarver, 2021: "I am OUTRAGED at these entirely false allegations!"
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) September 21, 2022
Robert Sarver, 2022: "alas! I am but a humble man on a personal mission to seek forgiveness and enlightenment! truly our sick world is to blame for its inability to forgive me" pic.twitter.com/HiD924WQc2
He added, "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. For those reasons, I am beginning the process of seeking buyers for the Suns and Mercury."
The Suns have a released a statement, saying "We agree that Robert Sarver's decision to sell the Suns and Mercury is in the best interest of the organization and community." pic.twitter.com/EW5fbTCYME
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) September 21, 2022
In addition to the use of racial slurs, Sarver was found to have used derogatory language, made sexually charged comments toward and about women and bullied employees in the league's investigation which began after allegations of misconduct in November 2021 triggered it. In all 80,000 emails, texts and videos were examined and the NBA conducted 320 interviews during the probe.
The reaction was immediate, and mostly positive, from players, fans and the NBA itself.
LeBron James, who along with Chris Paul and Draymond Green was one of several elite players from around the league to call for Sarver to sell his teams once the results of the investigation were revealed, took to Twitter to applaud the move.
I’m so proud to be a part of a league committed to progress! https://t.co/c89Ad7AKZO
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 21, 2022
He tweeted, "I'm so proud to be a part of a league committed to progress!"
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shared his approval as well.
"I fully support the decision by Robert Sarver to sell the Phoenix Suns and Mercury," he said in a statement. "This is the right next step for the organization and community."
Watch the video below for more reactions from players around the league:
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