The NBA is very serious when it comes to the standards it expects from its players and its coaches. Anthony Edwards’ Instagram story and the reported pending investigation shows how seriously they take inclusivity and respectful behavior. And while players, coaches, and staff are held to that high standard, so are the owners of the 30 franchises that make up the league.
The situation with former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is an excellent example of this. Sterling was forced to sell the team thanks to his extremely inappropriate and racist behavior. And now, another NBA owner has come under fire following an investigation that has resulted in a big suspension and a hefty fine.
Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver had come under investigation recently for his inappropriate workplace conduct. There has been speculation for a while about what might happen if he is found guilty of the things he had been accused of. And now the NBA has released a statement disclosing his punishment.
Phoenix Suns Owner Robert Sarver To Be Suspended For A Year And Fined $10 Million
The league’s official communications page released a detailed statement of what the investigation has found. The statement also includes a list of the sanctions that Sarver will face as a result.
The NBA today issued the following statement: pic.twitter.com/jjlBK771PT
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) September 13, 2022
Shams Charania shared the most important details of the situation on Twitter, explaining what will now be happening to Sarver.
The independent investigation included interviews with 320 people and evaluation of over 80,000 documents.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 13, 2022
“NBA has suspended Suns owner Robert Sarver for one year from the Suns and Mercury organization based on league investigation. Sarver has also been fined $10 million and complete training program focused on respect and appropriate workplace conduct.
“Key findings, NBA says: Robert Sarver said the N-word at least 5 times when recounting statement of others; made sex-related, inappropriate comments about physical appearance of females; inappropriate physical conduct toward men; engaged in harsh treatment.
“The independent investigation included interviews with 320 people and evaluation of over 80,000 documents.
“The NBA says it will donate Robert Sarver’s $10 million fine to organizations that are committed to addressing race and gender-based issues in and outside the workplace.”
All these findings are extremely disturbing considering the league’s stance toward inclusivity and treating everyone equally. It also begs the question of how players on the Phoenix Suns will react to this news coming out. One way or another, this is a momentous occurrence, and it will take some time to understand what the fallout will truly be.
