NEW YORK (AFP) – The NBA has suspended Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver for one year and fined him $10 million after a probe of claims of racism and misogyny, the league said Tuesday.
In announcing the punishment, the league said the independent investigation found 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.”
The NBA commissioned the independent investigation of Sarver, who also owns the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, in November of 2021 after ESPN published an article citing more than 70 Suns employees who alleged Sarver had created a “toxic” work environment in 17 years as owner of the club.
Sarver denied the allegations and said at the time he welcomed the investigation, which was conducted by the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
“Good leadership requires accountability,” Sarver said in a statement on Tuesday released through the Suns.
“For the Suns and Mercury organizations, that begins with me.
“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. 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.”
The NBA said the $10 million fine is the maximum permitted by the league’s constitution and by-laws and will be donated “to organizations that are committed to addressing race and gender-based issues in and outside the workplace.”
But Sarver escaped the fate of former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who in 2014 was banned for life from the NBA after he was recorded using racist language in a private conversation.
The league later forced the sale of the team to new owners.
