Earlier this week, the NBA announced their punishment for the investigation of Phoenix Suns and WNBA Phoenix Mercury’s owner Robert Sarver. Sarver was facing allegations of racism and misogyny during his 17 years as owner. The investigation was started after a news story was published on ESPN in November of 2021. As a result of the investigation, Sarver was fined $10 million and suspended for one year.
“The investigation found that during his time with the Suns and Mercury, Sarver used the N-word at least five times “when recounting the statements of others.” There also were “instances of inequitable conduct toward female employees,” the NBA said in its statement, including “sex-related comments” and inappropriate comments on employees’ appearances.”
While Sarver was cooperative with the investigation, he was not under the belief that he deserved the punishment that he received from the league. This comes despite findings during the investigation led by Wachtell Lipton, a New York-based law firm, found that he “engaged in conduct that clearly violated common workplace standards, as reflected in team and league rules and policies.”
“While I disagree with some of the particulars of the NBA’s report, I would like to apologize for my words and actions that offended our employees,” Sarver said in a statement through the Suns. “I take full responsibility for what I have done. I am sorry for causing this pain, and these errors in judgment are not consistent with my personal philosophy or my values.
“I accept the consequences of the NBA’s decision. This moment is an opportunity for me to demonstrate a capacity to learn and grow as we continue to build a working culture where every employee feels comfortable and valued.”
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Sarver is almost certainly alone in the thinking that he didn’t deserve to be punished to that extent. In fact, there is a large contingent of people that believe he got off easy and that harsher punishment should be levied against him.
Worrying about the comfortability of your workplace is something that no one should ever have to endure. The environment that Sarver created and some of the things that he reportedly did are grotesque and people who are still working for the Suns and Mercury have a right to feel however they feel about the decision, whether it is anger or disappointment.
“It’s barely a slap on the wrist and shows us the league truly doesn’t stand for diversity, equity or inclusion,” a former staffer who spoke to ESPN for the initial 2021 story told ESPN. “I’m grateful to have the validation after being told I was insane, a b—- and being dramatic. That definitely lets me breathe a little.
“But I’m angry. The league failed us when they had the opportunity to stand behind its values.”
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That is a sentiment many people share. All-Star and future Hall of Famer Chris Paul is one of the people who fall into that camp. He took to Twitter to share his opinion on the matter as he was horrified and disappointed by what he read in the report.
Paul also believes the punishment does not fit the crime.
This is the second time that Paul has played for a team whose owner failed to abide by the league’s rules. Donald Sterling was removed as owner of the LA Clippers for racist remarks he was on video saying.
Paul isn’t the only player to voice his opinion, as his friend, LeBron James, also took to Twitter to share his opinion.
While Sarver is only suspended for one year, there are a lot of parties that are hoping he is never allowed back into his position. Minority owner and vice chairman Jahm Najafi has called for resignation from Sarver in a statement that was released on Thursday night.
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PayPal, who has a sponsorship deal with the Suns, has also threatened to pull their deal if Sarver does not resign. CEO/President of PayPal, Dan Shulman, made his stance very clear in a statement Friday morning.
“PayPal is a values-driven company and has a strong record of combatting racism, sexism and all forms of discrimination. We have reviewed the report of the NBA league’s independent investigation into Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver and have found his conduct unacceptable and in conflict with our values.”
“PayPal’s sponsorship with the Suns is set to expire at the end of the current season. In light of the findings of the NBA’s investigation, we will not renew our sponsorship should Robert Sarver remain involved with the Suns’ organization, after serving his suspension.”
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It will be interesting to see if other companies take a similar stance that PayPal has. Money talks at the end of the day and with enough backlash, the league could step in again and amend its decision. However, NBA commissioner Adam Silver made it clear that he does not have the authority to take away Sarver’s ownership.
