Robert Sarver is now looking to sell the Phoenix Suns and his WNBA team. Here’s a review of what has taken place this month.
Robert Sarver Could Sell Phoenix Suns and WNBA Team
Robert Sarver, in a saga that started to receive heavy reporting earlier this month, is now planning to sell his sports franchises. Baxter Holmes, a writer at ESPN, reported the following on the morning of September 21st:
Owner Robert Sarver on Wednesday announced that he has begun the process to sell both the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury franchises.
ESPN September 21st, 2022
The plans to sell the team come after Sarver, the owner of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns basketball team, received a $10,000,000 fine and a one-year suspension from the NBA. Sarver also owns the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA.
All of the drama started after an investigation into workplace conduct. A report titled “Report of Independent Investigators to the National Basketball Association Concerning Robert Sarver and the Phoenix Suns Organization” had some damaging findings.
“The investigation finds that, during his 18-year tenure as Governor of the Suns organization, Sarver has engaged in conduct that clearly violated common workplace standards, as reflected in team and League rules and policies. This
“Report of Independent Investigators to the National Basketball Association Concerning Robert Sarver and the Phoenix Suns Organization” by “Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.“
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.”
Robert Sarver News – Comparisons to Donald Sterling
Robert Sarver and Donald Sterling have been compared. The latter is the former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. Sterling, in news from several years back, was recorded making inappropriate statements about black people. In 2014, TMZ released the recording where he could be heard telling his mistress not to bring black people to Sterling’s NBA games. The fallout led to a fine and a ban from the NBA for life. In modern reporting, the LA Times is one publisher that drew comparisons between the two. Dan Woike headlined on September 15th, 2022: “Commentary: Donald Sterling saga helps show how to remove Suns owner Robert Sarver.”
Sarver selling his teams simplifies everything
Since the Sarver saga began, there has been a lot of blowback from commentators. Many think that Sarver should have faced a more severe punishment than just a one-year ban. With plans to sell the team, Sarver might be making the only move he can really make as a businessperson. Continuing to associate with the team could only hurt marketing in the future, even after he serves his suspension. The move actually comes as no surprise and most parties are expected to support the decision.
