The NBA’s decision to suspend Suns owner Robert Sarver for the 2022/23 season and fine him $10MM after an independent investigation determined his behavior had created a toxic workplace atmosphere received significant criticism from many important voices around the league. Prominent NBA writers and some of its best players, as well as NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio, all expressed that the punishment for Sarver was less severe than he deserved.
It appears that a figure within the team’s ownership group shares that view.
Suns vice chairman and minority owner Jahm Najafi issued a statement internally, to Suns players and employees, in response to the suspension, reports Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.
Najafi called for Sarver to step down from his ownership position in a more permanent manner, and stated that he will work to find a suitable replacement who treats all employees with equitable respect.
“There should be zero tolerance for discriminatory actions of any level, in any setting, let alone a professional one,” Najafi wrote, in part. “I cannot in good judgment sit back and allow our children and future generations of fans think that this behavior is tolerated because of wealth and privilege.
“Therefore, in accordance with my commitment to helping eradicate any form of racism, sexism and bias, as Vice Chairman of the Phoenix Suns, I am calling for the resignation of Robert Sarver,” Najafi continued. “While I have no interest in becoming the managing partner, I will work tirelessly to ensure the next team steward treats all stakeholders with dignity, professionalism and respect.”
A report earlier today indicated that both of Sarver’s basketball franchises – the Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury – will be governed by another Suns vice chairman and minority owner, Sam Garvin, during Sarver’s absence this season.
Garvin has been more sympathetic toward Sarver during this process — he was among several Suns minority stakeholders who supported Sarver’s character with a signed statement last fall.
Anyone who says the kinda things this guys accused of saying should be permanently removed from the league
Anyone
While I agree he said terrible things, I bet everyone has said terrible things, perhaps we should just let his name slip into obscurity instead of constantly writing articles and showing his face, cause I literally never had any clue what he looked like until these dramatics #forgetSatanSarverforever
Exactly, well said parx
It’s likely they minority owner/chairman has said equally disturbing things sometime over the past few decades. The saying about not throwing stones in a glass house would fit right now.
15 mins in an nba locker room would yield worse language than anything this guy could dream up
How exactly do you know what is said in an NBA locker room?
All types of crap continues until examples are set. But who will set these examples?
Sterling had to sell and he did less IMO.
If you knew the history of Sterling you wild t feel that way
No need to argue: both 100 % should have to sell.
There’s light, tolerated racism still allowed, if the person is actively looking like they’re trying their best and meaning no harm, and then there’s purely insane, criminal levels of racism, like this guy.
With the history of slavery in this country we simply can never tolerate any level of “I own you” even if there’s money being paid. On any level. Ever. This should be common sense to anyone who isn’t a complete lunatic.
Sarver old white men still ruling the world. What the Commish said today regarding him “ Sarver” was not only sad but so far off base with how the real world feels is truly devastating to all and clearly displays how out of touch the Commish is. Sad day indeed.
Just do what they did with Sterling, ban him from attending any NBA or WNBA games and essentially have his wife own it. Then she can sell the team. The problem is, there aren’t just a bunch of billionaires that could afford the Suns. I personally still think repeating someone saying the N-Word is fine, but the other stuff is completely disgusting.
Sterling’s wife was estranged and willing to rid herself of the racist pervert while Penny herself is no different than Sterling or her husband.
It’s all overblown. People say crap allllllll the time. A punishment is needed but no need to strip entirely lively hood. His character is already gone.
Jahm can always resign
Anyone advocating for the forced sale of the Suns is severely unaware of how the legal system works. A lawsuit over this would cost the league more than what they fined him and would ultimately lead to nothing but having an owner that hates the rest of the league. If by a holy miracle the NBA could win that suit and force a sale, I guarantee it would change the rules of what players can say on the court and in the locker room. You cannot legally separate the use of the n word by the skin color of who says it. You can try and prove racial animus but the league has already come forward and said none was found. Think about this for more than 5 minutes, I implore you.
Basically what Silver said, and he isn’t wrong whether anyone likes it or not.
Don’t fall down the slippery slope. This suspension has nothing to do with what players can say or not say. There is no legal issue behind who can and can’t say the n-word. It’s pretty simple: if you’re not black, don’t say it. If you do, you’ll face the consequences and if you’re an NBA owner, those consequences are what happened to Sarver (hopefully more strict if this unfortunately happens again).
Also I think commenters recognize the NBA can’t force the sale. But like another commenter said, all those shares could go to his wife and he could still be banned.
Good for Najafi speaking up. Sarver needs to go!