Following an inquiry, the NBA ruled that Robert Sarver, the owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, had participated in “workplace misconduct and organizational deficiencies.” The league fined Sarver $10 million and suspended him for one year.
The results of the league’s inquiry were made public on Tuesday, over a year after the NBA requested that a legal company look into claims made by the league that Sarver had a history of hostile, sexist, and racist occurrences throughout his almost two-decade stint as the team’s general manager.
The NBA stated in a statement that the report’s conclusions were based on 320 interviews with current and former staff members who worked for both clubs under Sarver’s management partnership, in addition to more than 80,000 documents and materials including emails, texts, and videos.
Citing a section of the study, the NBA said in a statement that 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,” it went on to say.
The accusations against Sarver were initially made public by ESPN in November 2021. The network claimed to have spoken with dozens of current and former team members for their story, some of whom went into depth about Sarver’s inappropriate behavior. By the assistance of his attorneys, he first refuted or denied the majority of the accusations.
Sarver cannot represent the Suns or Mercury in any public or private capacity, be present at any NBA or WNBA team facility, such as an office, arena, or practice facility, attend or take part in any NBA or WNBA event or activity, such as games, practices, or business partner activities, or be involved in any way with the Suns or Mercury’s business or basketball operations. This restriction was announced by the NBA on Tuesday.
As required under NBA regulation, the league declared that it will give the whole $10 million fine “to organizations that are committed to addressing race and gender-based issues in and outside the workplace.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated, “The statements and conduct described in the findings of the independent investigation are troubling and disappointing.” “We believe the outcome is the right one, taking into account all the facts, circumstances and context brought to light by the comprehensive investigation of this 18-year period and our commitment to upholding proper standards in NBA workplaces.”
According to the NBA, Sarver will also be required to finish a training course “focused on respect and appropriate conduct in the workplace” while he is suspended.
The Suns and Mercury will have to comply with a number of workplace requirements set forth by the league, such as hiring outside companies that would “focus on fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace.”
Regular anonymous employee surveys will be conducted by those firms to make sure the right work environment is in place. Reports of serious wrongdoing by any workers, even if they are just allegations, must be sent to the NBA and WNBA right away.
“We all need to understand the damaging and painful effects of racially insensitive and demeaning language and behavior, regardless of position, power, or intent,” Silver stated. “I apologize to everyone affected by the misbehavior detailed in the investigators’ findings on behalf of the entire NBA. We have to perform better.”
The Suns Legacy Partners, the organization that oversees and runs the Suns and Mercury, stated in a statement that it is dedicated to establishing “a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment.” It claimed that a large number of the problems identified in the organization’s reports were old and had been resolved recently.
“Nevertheless, we accept the NBA’s conclusions and, to the extent that we have not yet, we will execute the workspace enhancements the NBA has identified.
