Robert Sarver said he has begun the process of selling the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, a move that comes just eight days after his departure. Suspended by the NBA Workplace misconduct, including racist remarks and hostile behavior towards employees.
Sarver made an announcement On Wednesday, it said selling “is the best thing to do.”
“But in our current relentless climate, it is painfully clear that this is no longer possible – whatever good I have done or can still do is overwhelmed by what I have said in the past,” Sarver said in a statement. the statement read. “For these reasons, I started looking for buyers for the Sun and Mercury.”
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Sarver bought the team in July 2004. He is not the only boss, but the main boss.
“My deeply regrettable words now overshadow an organization that has brought people together for nearly two decades,” he wrote on Wednesday.
In a brief statement Wednesday afternoon, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “I fully support Robert Sarver’s decision to sell the Phoenix Suns and Mercury. This is the right next step for the organization and the community.”
Last week, NBA suspended Sarver for one year and fined $10 million After investigation He was found to be involved in what the coalition called “workplace misconduct and organizational flaws”.
NBA stars LeBron James and Chris Paul have criticized the penalty, saying it doesn’t go far enough.Suns sponsor PayPal says the same Will not renew team sponsorship If Sarver is still the owner of the team.
The league’s findings come nearly a year after the NBA asked a law firm to investigate allegations that Sarver had a history of racism, misogyny and hostile events during his nearly two-year tenure overseeing the team.
The NBA said the report’s findings are based on interviews with 320 people, including current and former employees who worked for both teams when Sarver was managing partner, and more than 80,000 documents and materials such as emails, text messages and video.
“I don’t want to distract from these two teams or the wonderful employees who work so hard to bring the fun and excitement of basketball to fans around the world,” Sarver said. “I want what’s best for both organizations, players, employees, fans, the community, my owners, the NBA and the WNBA.”
