Phoenix Suns Owner Suspended, Fined $10 Million After Conduct ‘Clearly Violated’ Workplace Standards
The NBA has suspended Robert Sarver, the owner of the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, for a year and fined him $10 million following an investigation that alleged he engaged in sexist and racist behavior.
In November 2021, ESPN alleged misconduct by Sarver, after which the NBA commissioned law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to look into the matter. The firm interviewed 320 individuals and evaluated over 80,000 documents and other materials including text messages and emails.
On Sept. 13, the investigation team issued its report (pdf), which alleged that in his 18-year tenure as governor of the Suns organization, Sarver engaged in conduct that “clearly violated” common workplace standards….