The NBA continues to receive criticism for its ruling in the Robert Sarver case, including a scathing review from its most prominent player.
In a pair of tweets tonight, LeBron James said the league “definitely got this wrong” in reference to Commissioner Adam Silver‘s decision to suspend Sarver for one year and fine him $10MM rather than taking action to force him to sell the team.
“Read through the Sarver stories a few times now,” James wrote. “I gotta be honest…Our league definitely got this wrong. I don’t need to explain why. Y’all read the stories and decide for yourself. I said it before and I’m gonna say it again, there is no place in this league for that kind of 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 ain’t it.”
Also reacting was Suns star Chris Paul, who agrees that Sarver deserves much stronger sanctions. Paul has largely avoided comment on the topic since the allegations against his team’s owner were made public last November, other than to stress the need to avoid letting it become a distraction. But tonight he issued a strong statement disapproving of Sarver’s behavior.
“Like many others, I reviewed the report. I was and am horrified and disappointed by what I read. This conduct especially towards women is unacceptable and must never be repeated,” Paul tweeted. “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.” (Twitter link)
A nearly year-long investigation of Sarver determined that he used racially insensitive language in the workplace, including the N-word at least five times while recounting – or purporting to recount – statements from other people. He also treated female employees poorly, making many sex-related comments and inappropriate statements about their appearance, according to the report from the law firm that conducted the investigation.
Silver’s decision also drew a rebuke from NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio, who called Sarver’s actions “horrible” and said they “have no place in our sport or any workplace for that matter.” (Twitter link)
“Additionally, the investigation confirmed that Mr. Sarver’s deplorable behavior did not just come to light in November 2021,” she tweeted. “In fact, the report indicated Mr. Sarver’s long history of inappropriate conduct, including racial and gender insensitivity, misogyny and harassment. All issues that led to a toxic work environment for well over a decade. I have made my position known to Adam Silver regarding my thoughts on the extent of the punishment, and strongly believe that Mr. Sarver should never hold a managerial position within our league again.” (Twitter link)
NBA players of all people virtue signaling about respecting women. Now that’s rich.
Where were these comments by these same people when Bridges beat the everloving crap out of his babymomma in front of his kid? Nowhere to be found.
be aware of generalizing with the added part of being incorrect/misrepresenting. Two players are quoted and you grouped the whole population of NBA players. You are better than that, atleast you should be. break it down, percentage of NBA players with extra martial affairs, domestic violence, violence against non-heter people. something other than looking like a chump who hit reply.
Lol what
It was crickets and tumbleweeds when that happened. Players rarely condemn any other player who offends. Brotherhood seems to be more important
So why don’t they hold Anthony Edwards to the same standard for what he said about gays?
Using their logic, he should be out of the league for good.
that’s not the same level and you know it
In Sarver’s case it was repeated incidents over a period of several years as the above post proclaims spanning over a decade. In Edwards case it was spur of the moment. He probably will get fined and possibly suspended as the the league has a set a precedent for it. In his case and even Meyers Leonard’s case I believe that’s all thats warranted.
He’s a star. If he was an expendable role player, he would’ve face real punishment
Myles Leonard says hi, from Twitch ofc
It’s so funny how y’all hate the very players who play the game y’all profess to love.
Don’t have to love the players to love the game. What are you on about?
@jdrew don’t have to hate them either.
Criticizing them does not equate to hate
Chris Paul has been at the center of three of the most interesting ownership situations in the NBA of recent memory. The infamous veto from New Orleans owner/league commissioner David Stern, the Donald Sterling ‘you can sleep with em just don’t take pictures’ Clippers, and now the typical guy from Phoenix, Robert Sarver, just being himself. It’s time the league opens an investigation on CP3, at the very least try to figure out why nobody seems to like him and why he looks as if he’s on the verge of tears every year when his team is eliminated.
Bad owners need to be removed. Dolan and Sarver for starters. But I don’t really believe the players really think this completely
What law did he break that allows his property to be taken. Are we living in a socialist country my friend. Disagree with his disgusting behavior,punish him,but this is a democracy
The answer to your question, Ojdiddoit, would be multiple workplace and discrimination laws. Have you read the reports in detail? There are multiple incidents, over multiple years.
We do live in a democracy, but that has zero to do with this. NBA ownership is a club, no different than any other club where you can be removed for inappropriate conduct. There is already precedent in place for this. The NBA forced Donald Sterling out. MLB forced Marge Schott out. I don’t believe anyone is saying take his team, don’t give him a dime. He could -and should, in my mind- be forced to sell, though. It’s a bad look for the league. How can Suns fans feel good financially supporting a team this man will profit off of?
Where in those laws does it say the punishment is to strip a man of his property without due process. Show us sir in the constitution of the United states where that is written….
You’re incorrectly equating forcing him to sell the Suns to seizing property, which aren’t the same things. Yes he owns the Suns, but that’s more akin to buying membership into a club. There’s an approval process when buying a team. It’s not true property. If it was true property, he could move the team to Australia tomorrow if he wanted to without league approval. That’s not the way it works, though.
Think of it this way: you buy a Sam’s Club membership, and you go in and start wrecking the place… you don’t think they can’t revoke your membership without a trial? All the buzz words you’re tossing out have zero to do with this.
Ojdiddot, you’re acting like that didn’t happen in the recent past with Donald Sterling. As an owner, the other 29 owners can vote you as unfit.
Marge Schott is still the gold standard for worst human to own a sports franchise in the past 4 decades. I’m sure before that they were universally pretty terrible humans.
I think Sarver should be banned. No place for that kind of behaviour.
We should expect the NBA to continue setting the best example possible for these issues, right?
It seemed like they were on that path, after everything that happened in the bubble.
If you ban owners like Sarver you also have to ban Bridges
Unfortunately friend the man is already a owner and therefore can’t be banned or stripped of his ownership by adam silver.
Ojdiddoit, still incorrect. Owners of teams are still under league jurisdiction as a whole. 29 other owners are more powerful than one and he can be forced to sell his stake by the other owners like Donald Sterling was.
Sarver isn’t banned……
The League can’t set that good of an example when they’re in business with China.
Then they would have to ban all players who use that same language on the court, right? Or do you want double standards?
So what’s the point of being a billionaire ?
Found the guy who does this kind of behavior only to himself that would do it openly if he was a billionaire. Sure there’s more.
I’m with NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio.
Terrible decision by Silver.
Sadly but true it was the only punishment silver could inflict. The owners run the league, not adam and most certainly not the players.
Ugly situation for sure
Some good, yet controversial points have been made above
There’s always a spectrum and its never really fair tbh
Personality ALWAYS plays a part- Trevor Bauer is the prime example, completely railroaded yet nobody cares as he’s not likeable…Myles Leonard 86’ed for a word on Twitch?