A week after the NBA revealed the sanctions against Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, the controversial executive is now seeking buyers for his NBA and WNBA franchises. Following two decades of racism, misogyny, homophobia, and more unfortunate behaviors and attitudes within the organization, the NBA decided to ban Sarver for one year.
After the league made this decision, many people raised their voices against it, calling them out for being ‘soft’ against Sarver. Players like LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Draymond Green called for harder actions against Sarver, but the decision was already made.
John Hollinger of The Athletic explained that it was a collective job between fans, players, and even sponsors what was needed to get Sarver out of the league, and it finally happened.
Robert Sarver Is Putting Both Phoenix Suns And Phoenix Mercury Up For Sale
In a statement released today, Mr. Sarver informs the public that he’s now looking for buyers to purchase both the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, a decision that shocked many people.
Words that I deeply regret now overshadow nearly two decades of building organizations that brought people together – and strengthened the Phoenix area – through the unifying power of professional men’s and women’s basketball.
As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness. I expected that the commissioner’s one-year suspension would provide the time for me to focus, make amends and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love.
But in our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that that is no longer possible – that whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past. For those reasons, I am beginning the process of seeking buyers for the Suns and Mercury.
I do not want to be a distraction to these two teams and the fine people who work so hard to bring the joy and excitement of basketball to fans around the world. I want what’s best for these two organizations, the players, the employees, the fans, the community, my fellow owners, the NBA and the WNBA. This is the best course of action for everyone.
In the meantime, I will continue to work on becoming a better person, and continuing to support the community in meaningful ways. Thank you for continuing to root for the Suns and the Mercury, embracing the power that sports has to bring us together.
After the NBA’s decision was announced, many people were disappointed, but the pressure from others, the fact that the Suns could lose a lot of money if Sarver didn’t sell the teams, pushed him to make this decision, and now we have to wait to see who is going to take over at Footprint Center.
