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What’s good, fam. It’s Sykes back again for Layup Lines. Let’s talk about Robert Sarver. Again.
To this point, it doesn’t really feel like anyone aside from the NBA’s board of governors thinks his punishment for fostering a toxic workplace goes far enough. Compared to the allegations of racism, sexism, and workplace abuse levied against him, his punishment feels like a slap on the wrist.
It’s not just fans who feel this way. So do players, including LeBron James and Chris Paul who plays for Sarver’s Phoenix Suns. It also includes the team’s sponsors, including its jersey sponsor in PayPal who just severed ties with the team behind this.
It also includes at least one prominent minority owner from the Suns organization itself.
Team vice chair and minority owner Jahm Najafi called for Sarver’s resignation in an open letter to employees on Thursday evening, per ESPN’s Baxter Holmes. He very clearly states there should be “zero tolerance” for what Sarver did and is calling upon the powers that be to hold him to a higher standard.
He had strong words for the team’s employees after the league’s determination.
“The fact that Robert Sarver ‘owns’ the team does not give him a license to treat others differently than any other leader. The fact that anyone would find him fit to lead because of this ‘ownership’ position is forgetting that NBA teams belong to the communities they serve.”
Not only is that powerful, but it’s also true.
Being fortunate enough to own an NBA team doesn’t mean one can foster a toxic work environment with no consequences. If anything, the standard should be held higher here. Sarver is ultimately an ambassador for the league on the biggest scale. His values reflect the NBA’s values and one would think that, obviously, they aren’t in line right now.
The NBA is the only entity currently defending his indefensible actions and that’s only because they don’t want to get into litigation — I get it. Discovery is a billionaire’s worst nightmare and there are lots of billionaires being considered here.
But this ain’t going away. Media day is coming — players will be asked about this. More people within the organization will speak up about it. More organizations will pull sponsorship dollars away.
The NBA can’t protect Sarver here. Not anymore. It’s too late for that. Instead of trying to, it needs to figure out the best course of action to separate itself from him.
If they continue to try to, they’ll pay dearly for it with a loss of money, fans and maybe even the trust of their players. And I’m sure they don’t want that.
The Tip-Off
Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
The Showtime Lakers of the 80s had a reunion in Hawaii and, man, did it look like a blast. This is how I pray my 50s and 60s go. The homie Bryan Kalbrosky had more here.
This looked like a truly delightful experience for the old teammates to get together once again now more than three decades later. The guys played golf together and reflected on their success and all of their relationships.
Spectrum SportsNet will premiere a “ShowTime Reunion” special on Nov. 4 once the post-game show concludes after the Lakers play the Jazz.
I will absolutely be watching that reunion…right after I finish the “Winning Time” on HBO. Yes, I’m ashamed.
Shootaround
— Breanna Stewart stopped by on Special Delivery to talk to me about her new signature shoe, the Stewie 1. This is a game changer.
— The NBA can’t just tell us Robert Sarver has evolved. They have to prove it.
—The Celtics’ lead governor thinks the team might be a tad bit overrated.
—Steph Curry thinks KD was better off sticking with the Nets as opposed to going to Boston because of course he does.
That’s all, folks. Enjoy the weekend.
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