Sarver suspended!

Ben Rohrbach

The NBA on Tuesday announced a one-year suspension and $10 million fine of Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver following a lengthy independent investigation into workplace misconduct allegations.
The league launched the investigation into Sarver following a November 2021 article published by ESPN's Baxter Holmes, whose interviews with more than 70 current and former Suns employees revealed a history of alleged "racially insensitive language," "misogynistic" behavior and other hostile workplace misconduct.
The law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz was commissioned to conduct the investigation. Led by partners David Anders and Sarah Eddy, the investigation featured 320 interviews and the review of more than 80,000 "documents and other materials, including emails, text messages and videos." The firm's findings formulated a 43-page report that was made public in coordination with the NBA's news release.

The investigation revealed the following key findings, as laid out in the report:
* Sarver said the N-word at least five times in repeating or purporting to repeat what a Black person said — four of those after being told by both Black and white subordinates that he should not use the word, even in repetition of another.
* Sarver used language and engaged in conduct demeaning of female employees. Among other examples, he told a pregnant employee that she would be unable to do her job upon becoming a mother; berated a female employee in front of others and then commented that women cry too much; and arranged an all-female lunch so that female employees at Western Alliance Bank, where at the time he was CEO, could explain to female Suns employees how to handle his demands.
* Sarver commented and made jokes frequently to employees in large and small settings about sex and sex-related anatomy, including by making crude or otherwise inappropriate comments about the physical appearance and bodies of female employees and other women. On four occasions, Sarver engaged in workplace-inappropriate physical conduct toward male employees.
* Over 50 current and former employees reported that Sarver frequently engaged in demeaning and harsh treatment of employees — including by yelling and cursing at them — that on occasion constituted bullying under workplace standards.

Terms of the suspension bar Sarver from entering any NBA or WNBA facility for one year. During that time, he also cannot attend board of governors meetings, represent his teams in any capacity, influence any business or basketball decisions or attend any league-affiliated event, including business partner activities.

"The statements and conduct described in the findings of the independent investigation are troubling and disappointing," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "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. ...
"Regardless of position, power or intent, we all need to recognize the corrosive and hurtful impact of racially insensitive and demeaning language and behavior. On behalf of the entire NBA, I apologize to all of those impacted by the misconduct outlined in the investigators' report. We must do better.”
In addition to the suspension and fine, Sarver must complete a training program "focused on respect and appropriate conduct in the workplace." The Suns and Mercury are also mandated to hire an independent firm to "evaluate and make recommendations with respect to workplace training programs, policies and procedures, and hiring and compensation practices — with a focus on fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace." Regular workplace culture surveys and reports to the league office are also required.
The punishment for Sarver falls between the two other most severe penalties in league history.
The NBA in 2014 banned former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life and fined him $2.5 million once recordings of his racist remarks were made public. Sterling had previously faced several discriminatory lawsuits, which included the largest housing discrimination settlement in American history.
In 2018, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban agreed to donate $10 million to organizations committed to combating domestic violence and supporting the professional development of women in sports, following an investigation that confirmed allegations of widespread sexual harassment and workplace misconduct in the organization. Cuban was not suspended for presiding over a systematic failure to protect employees.
The NBA will donate Sarver's $10 million fine to organizations "committed to addressing race and gender-based issues in and outside the workplace." The league's statement said Sarver "cooperated fully with the investigative process." However, according to Holmes and ESPN colleague Adrian Wojnarowski, Sarver took issue with his suspension and fine during what became a "largely acrimonious" punitive process.
Good leadership requires accountability," Sarver said in a statement, "[accepting] the consequences of the NBA's decision" on Tuesday. "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."


If Sterling can be fined 2 Mil and kicked out then this ass clown should never be allowed back into the NBA!

I love it when some jerk gets caught in this situation and says something like 'these errors in judgement are not consistent with my personal philosophy or my values.'

Really? That's funny, because you're the one that said it.

By the way Ktron, the handsome dude in the new avatar; that you from your broadcast network days?

NYCelt wrote:I love it when some jerk gets caught in this situation and says something like 'these errors in judgement are not consistent with my personal philosophy or my values.'

Really? That's funny, because you're the one that said it.

By the way Ktron, the handsome dude in the new avatar; that you from your broadcast network days?

NY, that not so handsome dude is yours truly from 2020 when I was working Media for the Decennial Census. We did the “Talk” on CBS. BTW. Marie Osmond was one of the hosts at the time and she told me “Hey you’re kind of cute” :-).  Ahh, I think I prefer handsome but I have to admit that I was glowing a bit after her remark.

I guess we can all breath a sigh of relief knowing the Commish made a ruling about Robert Sarver.

Good thing he was not the head of some major corporation that would do anything to protect their brand.  If he was he would have been dropped out of a plane at 30,000 feet with no golden parachute to give him a soft landing.

The suspension and fine are jokes.  The money he got fined is equivalent to some poor slob making 60K per year and having to replace his water heater for 700 bucks.  Go figure.

Adam Silver had an opportunity to do something right.  Instead he chose to ignore the elements of racism and misogynism that is ripping this country apart at the seams and pass out a mild slap on the wrist.

Adam Silver is catching H E Double Hockey Sticks for his handling of this situation.
Obviously at this time he would not receive approval from board of governors to kick Sarver out. The board is probably afraid that they too have dirt that may come out of this and that Sarver knows what that dirt is.

It is my understanding the the NBA also allowed an interim Governor to run the team and that particular person supported Sarver in writing so why would the NBA allow that and not appoint someone thats not Sarver friendly that can be objective?
The fact that despite being suspended Sarver can still make money from team revenue income is somewhat of a joke as well.
I don't think that this is the end. I believe that Sarver will be given his skates sooner or later. They may dress it up but I believe he’s. Goner..and should be.

Ktron,

I believe you are correct in that Sarver is on his way out.

Silver did what he could, but his authority over ownership does have limits. I think he has succeeded in getting attention focused and the machinery in motion to push Sarver out. Team sponsors are saying they will drop out if Sarver remains and at least one of the team’s ownership group is calling for a Sarver resignation. He will be gone, as he should be.

https://nypost.com/2022/09/21/robert-sarver-selling-suns-mercury-after-ban-for-racism-allegations/



Robert Sarver selling Suns, Mercury after ban for racism allegations


By Zach Braziller
September 21, 2022 12:55pm  Updated


Robert Sarver is selling the Suns and Mercury, the controversial owner announced on Wednesday.

Following an investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct against Sarver and his organization, he was suspended for one season and issued a $10 million fine. But amid growing pressure that the punishment was not severe enough — Suns vice chairman Jahm Najafi and PayPal CEO Dan Schulman said they didn’t want him to return — Sarver has decided to step away.

“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,” he wrote in a statement. “As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness. 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.”

The league’s investigation found that Sarver “said the n-word at least five times” in “repeating or purporting to repeat” the statements of others. He also allegedly made several comments towards women in the workplace and exposed himself to employees multiple times.

The 60-year-old real estate developer initially denied those claims. This statement, and his decision to explore a sale, seems to indicate there was some truth to them.


Bob


.

The writing was on the wall all the time, it just took longer for it to come into focus for him.

That doesn't mean that he won't try to spin it and live in denial.  Who knew it was so hard to treat others with respect in a professional environment?