Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver recently got handed down a full-year suspension and a $10 million fine after a league investigation confirmed allegations of misogyny and racism inside the organization. Check the Robert Saver suspension news here.
“The level of misogyny and racism is beyond the pale,” one Suns co-owner said about Sarver. “It’s embarrassing as an owner.” (Per ESPN)
Right Direction
The Robert Sarver suspension is certainly a step in the right direction, but now many people around the league and fans alike would like to see Sarver permanently removed from his position and banned for life from the NBA.
“We are absolutely calling for that [lifetime ban],” NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio said in an interview on ESPN’s NBA Today. “We do not want him to be in a position where he is managing or engaging with individuals who are engaging with our players or the players themselves. The team are absolutely clear from the findings that are in the report that we do not want him to be in that position.”
NBA Players Through Their Twitter Accounts
Tremaglio added that she was speaking on behalf of the NBA players, as LeBron James and Chris Paul have both also taken to their respective Twitter accounts to express their displeasure towards the Robert Sarver suspension, as both believe that he deserves a lifetime ban.
Paul is also currently a member of the Suns, so his voice definitely means something in this case.
“It is our players’ desire that while we understand that there has been a thorough investigation and while we’re very pleased that the NBA was able to follow through on that — because that’s clearly something that we want to see happen — we also want to make it very clear that we do not want him to be back in a position where he will be impacting our players and those who serve our players on a daily basis,” Tremaglio said.
Could Sarver Still End up Being Removed?
The players and NBPA executive director all made their thoughts known about the Robert Sarver suspension, and while NBA commissioner Adam Silver didn’t believe that he had the right to strip Sarver from his ownership role, his position can eventually change as the voices get louder.
Phoenix Suns vice chairman Jahm Najafi called for Robert Sarver to resign, as he said there is “zero tolerance” for racist and misogynistic behavior in the workplace.
“I cannot in good judgment sit back and allow our children and future generations of fans think that this behavior is tolerated because of wealth and privilege,” Najafi wrote in a letter released through a public-relations firm.
“Therefore, in accordance with my commitment to helping eradicate any form of racism, sexism and bias, as Vice Chairman of the Phoenix Suns, I am calling for the resignation of Robert Sarver.”
PayPal, the current sponsor of the Suns, also announced that they will no longer be doing business with the Suns if Sarver remains in his ownership role, as their CEO Dan Schulman referred to the company’s “strong record of combatting racism, sexism, and all forms of discrimination” while also saying Sarver’s conduct is “unacceptable and in conflict with our values.”
“In light of the findings of the NBA’s investigation, we will not renew our sponsorship should Robert Sarver remain involved with the Suns organization, after serving his suspension,” Schulman said.
What’s Next for the Suns?
The Robert Sarver news will definitely be a lingering storyline all season long, as players, coaches, and executives will have to answer daily questions about their disgraced owner while also trying to keep their focus on basketball.
The storyline started making headlines at the beginning of last season, but the Suns were still somehow able to finish with the league’s best record.
However, now that the allegations have been confirmed and the Suns’ owner has been suspended, the storyline will be relevant for a while since the Robert Sarver suspension isn’t deemed satisfactory by a bunch of powerful voices close to the situation.
Chris Paul has been around for a while now, as he has gone through the process of seeing another owner get stripped of his team after he made racist comments that were caught on a recording.
Paul Got Caught
For those unfamiliar, Paul was with the Los Angeles Clippers when then-owner Donald Sterling got caught making those comments.
Paul’s leadership and the coaching of Monty Williams should help keep this locker room intact, but there will certainly be moments the players will dread throughout the season while this saga drags along.
Devin Booker has also shown a refreshing maturity in his early NBA career, as he’s embraced the role of being one of the best scorers this league has to offer.
With Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and several other pieces rounding out this roster, this team is still more than capable of getting back to the Finals.
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.
