Last week the NBA levied their punishment from the investigation into Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Robert Sarver. He was suspended for one year and fined $10 million, which drew reactions from a lot of people.
While Sarver thought that he didn’t deserve any punishment, he was certainly in the minority in that regard. He may have actually been the only person with that stance, as numerous people weighed in on the decision.
Chris Paul, who is the Suns’ starting point guard, voiced his displeasure with the punishment that was handed down. This is the second time Paul has been on a team whose owner was investigated, as he played with the Los Angeles Clippers when Donald Sterling owned the team and was suspended for life.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers also said there should have been heavier punishment against Sarver as well. Minority owner and vice chairman Jahm Najafi called for Sarver to resign from his position. PayPal, who is on the team’s jersey patch, also threatened to not continue their partnership should Sarver be part of any plans in the future.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Robert Sarver & Phoenix Suns Updates
While that would have been the case based on the suspension that was levied, the organization will be under new ownership in the near future. Sarver began the process to sell the teams that he owns according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
“As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness,” Sarver said in a statement Wednesday. “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.
“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.”
LATEST NBA NEWS: Robert Sarver & Phoenix Suns Updates
Commission Adam Silver made it clear that he didn’t have the power to remove Sarver from ownership, as a vote would have had to be held among the other owners. That will no longer be necessary, as Sarver will be selling the team.
“Words that I deeply regret now overshadow nearly two decades of building organizations that brought people together — and strengthened the Phoenix area — through the unifying power of professional men’s and women’s basketball,” Sarver wrote in his statement.
“I do not want to be a distraction to these two teams and the fine people who work so hard to bring the joy and excitement of basketball to fans around the world,” Sarver said in his statement. “I want what’s best for these two organizations, the players, the employees, the fans, the community, my fellow owners, the NBA and the WNBA. This is the best course of action for everyone.
“In the meantime, I will continue to work on becoming a better person, and continuing to support the community in meaningful ways.”
LATEST NBA NEWS: Robert Sarver & Phoenix Suns Updates
This is an outcome that will make plenty of people happy. There is no place for people like Sarver in the NBA or any position of power. But, it is a small consolation for the people that Sarver has hurt during his time as owner of the Suns and Mercury.
