Suns Owner Robert Sarver Suspended, Fined $10 Million
On November 4, 2021, there was an article that came out on ESPN.com about Robert Sarver, Managing Partner of the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. The article on Sarver had statements and issues of conduct regarding the workplace. After this article came out the NBA commissioned an investigation by a law firm.
The independent investigation was released publicly, gathering information from interviews with 320 former and current employees who worked for Sarver during his 18-year tenure. There were more than 80,000 documents and other materials, emails, text messages, and videos. Sarver fully cooperated with the investigation.
The independent investigation found Sarver engaged in conduct that clearly violated common workplace standards, as reflected in the team and league rules and regulations. The conduct he violated 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.
There were some key findings that are worth noting, Sarver on at least five occasions repeated the N-word when recounting the statements of others. He had instances where there was inequitable conduct toward female employees, made sex-related comments in the workplace, and made inappropriate comments about female employees and other women. On several occasions, he engaged in inappropriate conduct with male employees. He was also harsh towards employees, yelling at them and cursing at them.
There were other instances where other employees were making inappropriate comments about women and racial insensitivity. The Suns Human Resources department was not reliable and not trusted by employees. The organization hired a new head of Human Resources and other executives and has implemented a series of positive workplace changes.
Based on the findings the NBA has suspended Sarver for a year. Sarver cannot engage with the team in any capacity. He cannot represent the team in public or private. He can’t participate in business or basketball operations. This goes for both the NBA and WNBA.
He has to complete a training program focused on respect and appropriate conduct in the workplace. Fined $10 million which is the max permitted by the NBA Constitution & By-Laws. There are things the organization has to do, such as reporting to the league when there is misconduct by any employee, hiring an outside firm to evaluate and make recommendations for workplace training, and other practices to create a better work environment. Conduct regular and anonymous workplace culture surveys and respond to survey results with specific action plans. For a period of three years, provide the league with regular reports related to steps taken by the organization to address these requirements.
“The statements and conduct described in the findings of the independent investigation are troubling and disappointing,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “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.”
The Suns put out a statement in regards to the findings from the investigation.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) September 13, 2022
NBA players such as Lebron James and Chris Paul were not too thrilled about the decision from the NBA.
behavior. I love this league and I deeply respect our leadership. But this isn’t right. There is no place for misogyny, sexism, and racism in any work place. Don’t matter if you own the team or play for the team. We hold our league up as an example of our values and this aint it.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 14, 2022
I am of the view that the sanctions fell short in truly addressing what we can all agree was atrocious behavior. My heart goes out to all of the people that were affected.
— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 15, 2022
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