The Phoenix Suns have a great basketball team with plenty of great talent on the roster, including veteran point guard Chris Paul and electric shooting guard Devin Booker. They have recently faced media scrutiny, but it wasn’t due to their play on the court.
Suns’ governor Robert Sarver has recently been under fire for reportedly using racist and sexist remarks, even using the N-word when referring to his players. It was obvious that those allegations wouldn’t be taken lightly by the league. Adrian Wojnarowski has recently reported that the NBA has launched an investigation into the matter.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1456370145396469777
The NBA has launched an investigation into the Suns and Robert Sarver, league says.
An article shared by Adrian Wojnarowski slightly after the original Tweet shared that the league would be using a private law firm to conduct the investigation, and the NBA’s Mike Bass stated that any action would be based on their findings.
The allegations contained in today’s ESPN article are extremely serious, and we have directed the Wachtell Lipton law firm to commence a comprehensive investigation. The NBA and WNBA remain committed to providing a respectful and inclusive workplace for all employees. Once the investigation is completed, its findings will provide the basis for any league action.”
The article also states that a lot of employees would reportedly be willing to speak to investigators, and Jahm Najafi, who owns a minority stake in the Phoenix Suns stated that he “would aid any NBA investigation”.
Two current Suns employees said there is considerable internal support throughout the organization for an independent investigation into the franchise’s culture and that many employees would, as one said, be “more than willing to talk” to investigators.
Said the second employee, “A lot of people view this as their chance to right this ship.”
Both employees noted, however, that a looming concern voiced among the organization’s rank and file is whether sensitive information, as well as their identities, would remain confidential to ward off any potential retaliation from Suns’ leadership. Said the first Suns employee, “We have to be protected.”
Suns minority owner Jahm Najafi said in a statement that he would aid any NBA investigation.
It remains to be seen what sort of findings the investigation will produce, and whether Robert Sarver will be ousted from his position similar to Donald Sterling, former governor of the Los Angeles Clippers.
It looks like this situation will be going on for quite some time, and the NBA will make sure that the investigation is thorough and leaves no stone unturned. Racism and sexism have no place in the league, even if it is a team’s governor that expresses those types of sentiments.
