5:02pm: The Suns have issued a statement:
“We understand that an outlet is considering publishing a proposed story that makes completely baseless claims against the Suns Legacy Partners, LLC organization concerning a variety of topics. Documentary evidence in our possession and eyewitness accounts directly contradict the reporter’s accusations, and we are preparing our response to his questions. We urge everyone not to rush to judgment here. Especially based on lies, innuendo, and a false narrative to attack our organization and its leadership.”
The team has also put out a longer statement from Sarver himself. It reads as follows:
“I am wholly shocked by some of the allegations purported by ESPN about me, personally, or about the Phoenix Suns and Mercury organizations. While I can’t begin to know how to respond to some of the vague suggestions made by mostly anonymous voices, I can certainly tell you that some of the claims I find repugnant to my nature and to the character of the Suns/Mercury workplace and I can tell you they never, ever happened.
“First and foremost, I reject any insinuation of personal or organizational racism or gender discrimination. I despite language that disrespects any individuals, regardless of race, gender, preference, or choice. Such language has no place in business or at home in what I consider Suns and Mercury families. I am proud of our record of diversity and inclusion on both teams — whether on the court or in the front office.
“I don’t begin to know how to prove that something DIDN’T happen, and it is difficult to erase or forget ugly accusations once they are made. Even hints of racism or sexism in our culture today are toxic and damaging and should not be lightly raised. I categorically deny any and all suggestions that I used disparaging language related to race or gender. I would like to think that my actions and public record regarding race, gender, or discrimination of any kind, over a lifetime in business and community service, will adequately answer any questions anyone might raise about my commitment to equality and fairness.”
Additionally, Phoenix published a brief statement from general manager James Jones, who said the allegations don’t describe the “the Robert Sarver, I know, respect, and like.” In a longer statement, team president and CEO Jason Rowley took aim at the ESPN reporter working on the story, claiming he has “shown a reckless disregard for the truth” and that his tactics have been “without any basis in journalism ethics or even morality.”
Again, it’s worth noting that no report has been published yet, so it remains unclear what sort of specific accusations or incidents Sarver and the Suns are denying.
4:09pm: The NBA is preparing for a “massive story” accusing Suns owner Robert Sarver of racism, sexism, and sexual harassment, sources tell veteran reporter Jordan Schultz (Twitter link). According to Schultz, a “series of incidents” are expected to be described in the forthcoming story.
If there’s enough evidence to support those claims, there’s a real chance the NBA would wrest control of the Suns from Sarver, according to Schultz. The league took that approach when recordings surfaced in 2014 of former Clippers owner Donald Sterling making racist comments, forcing Sterling to sell the team and banning him from the league for life.
It’s premature to speculate about whether the NBA will take the same path with Sarver, since we have no idea yet what the accusations will look like or how much evidence there will be to back them up. Until the full report Schultz alludes to is published, we’ll be in wait-and-see mode.
For what it’s worth, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Twitter link) hears that over 50 people were interviewed for the story, adding that Baxter Holmes of ESPN may be the reporter working on it.
Sarver became the majority owner of the Suns in 2004, when he purchased the franchise for a then-record $401MM. When Forbes released its annual NBA franchise valuations in February of this year, the outlet estimated that the Suns are worth $1.7 billion.
The Suns made it to the Western Conference Finals three times in Sarver’s first six years as the team’s owner, but experienced a lengthy playoff drought following that third Western Finals appearance in 2010. Phoenix finally ended its 10-year drought earlier this year when the club came within two wins of a title.
Matt Barnes called this years ago
W for him (and you for bringing this up)
What you failed to bring up ……
Not a Sarver supporter but Id rather not hear a domestic abuser’s thoughts on another domestic abuser; my God
Barnes is a tool who’s always looked for the sympathy card while making an a$$ outta himself on and off the court
Google Matt Barnes chokes lady in NYC nightclub, this was his 2nd offence btw in the subject matter , quite the guy, sure his house is filled with floor to ceiling glass window panes
All the big 3 sports leagues really have to start vetting and asking owners to run their teams ethically. There’s no reason why we have had our sports stolen by these petty, childish, sociopath billionaires.
There’s zero reason why any pro sports teams should cry poor that they can’t afford player salaries, thats been complete BS and should be viewed as unacceptable by NBA, MLB and NFL. All 3 sports need to scorch the earth of these types of toxic jock rapist types.
Nah
Speaking strictly of his ownership abilities, I feel like he has a reputation for being cheap. The most recent example would be the Ayton situation. Any Suns fans want to chime in as to whether you’d be happy to see him go (regardless of this current story)?
Just pop into the Suns subreddit. They hate him and have hated him for years. It’s a dream come true.
Super happy (as much as I can be considering that people got hurt). Only thing I was conflicted about the Finals was sharing a possible title with him.
NFL is still far and away the worst when it comes to racist owners. Lots of them don’t even pretend to hide it.
And the ones that get caught get scapegoated by certain head coaches, who happen to be a less horrible though still pretty bad version of themselves.
I think they should make this individual sell the team so the team to the current players he’s a racist and he needs to be removed they think they’re untouchable There are innate …..
Um, what?
They are born that way??? Innate?
Lol at us trying to decipher the garbled message. Get Sherlock Holmes on the case.
Sarver should sell to the players so the players become the owners? And then the person fell asleep at their computer?
Good day for Suns fans. He’s toast. Hopefully, the new owner(s) will better support the team financially. And, you know, not be a POS.
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks”
Love that quote and everytime it is used. But what would you say if he remained silent?
Fact: I both agree and disagree with the accusations that haven’t even been made yet.
Say what you want about ESPN’s agenda—and they do have one like nearly every other major media outlet—but they usually don’t get this type of stuff wrong. If we were just talking about one or two random allegations it would be one thing, but a bombshell report that saw dozens of folks being interviewed means it’s pretty big. So even if ESPN is overselling the narrative as they so often do, even a normalized version of it is probably going to be very bad for Sarver.
Also, for Sarver to try and get out ahead of this as quickly and strongly as he did means the allegations must be pretty substantial. My guess is he very much does feel like his ownership of the team could be in jeopardy.
The only ‘agenda’ for any major media outlet is to make money. This story will make quite a bit of money for them
They have evidence already prepared and are denying a report they haven’t even read yet. Can’t think of any better indication the report is actually true. The innocent don’t expect to defend themselves.
Not saying anyone is innocent or guilty here BUT you are seriously wrong. The innocent are prepared to defend themselves when they have advanced warning. The Suns had advanced warning and did something. You’re conclusion is foolish but honestly I would bet that you will ultimately be on the correct side of this one.
The advanced warning doesn’t include every specific detail being alleged though. You need details before you can defend yourself. How can you possibly know you have evidence you didn’t do something… without knowing what the something was?
If they are this familiar with the details of the allegations it’s because the allegations are true. The only other possibility is that they have read the entire report in detail ahead of time, which is not impossible but very unlikely. Journalists are extremely protective of their work.
They probably know questions that were asked of some witnesses which likely included “have you ever experienced or witnessed…” fill in the specific behavior. I don’t like Sarver, but just because they have an indication of what some of the allegations are doesn’t mean he did them.
Sarver out would be a Happy Day in Phoenix. I think going forward it would be like some State Holiday. The guy is just a straight up HORSES ASS
Mehh, obviously someone has something to gain by publishing this story. There’s no innocent parties here.
I’m sure all of the alleged victims of racism and sexual harassment have plenty to gain here by the the publishing of the story. Maybe justice?
There is no justice. Just public opinion.
Profound.
Well yeah journalism is a business. All stories are for economic benefit. No one is writing a bombshell story about a random guy that lives next to you.
Intentions aren’t pure. That doesn’t mean the story is fallible though.
Other owners around the league hate Sarver, and apparently there are over 50 on the record sources involved in this piece. He’s toast. Going to get the Sterling treatment…so now who’s gonna buy them?
What Sterling said on those private tapes were despicable and horrible. The NBA fined him millions, which was just – but to be forced to sell what he owned, it wasn’t right to me.
Let’s see what horrible deeds Sarver had in store for us.
The media campaigns by both sides are the first maneuvers to the court battle or out of court settlements. Interested to see what the accusations are against Sarver and how the NBA will handle it. Good thing they did not max out Ayton, sounds like he is going to need the extra cash.
As a Suns fan, the only question I have is, can we have a new owner in place by the trade deadline?
This “story” is a giant nothing burger. ESPN is trying to capitalize on the Gruden saga. The reporter should be ashamed of themselves. Nothing will come from this because it’s a bunch of bologna.
Ok, Robert Sarver’s burner account.
About time the league waves good riddance to Sarver… hopefully the FO will follow for their criminal undervaluing of Ayton (just kidding)!
But seriously Sarver gotta go!
Since when did Arizona need proof just like the silly stolen election lies LOL