The former Michigan State walk-on is about to become an NBA chairman
The Phoenix Suns apparently have a new majority shareholder on the way, ending the disastrous reign of Robert Sarver after the league all but pushed him out following an investigation into toxic workplace culture.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Mat Ishbia, a 42-year-old billionaire from Michigan, has reached an agreement to purchase Sarver’s stake in both the Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and assume the role of team chairman.
Wojnarowski noted the deal will cost Ishbia around $4 billion.
So who is this guy? And why would he be interested in the Suns?
Here are a few quick, basic facts we know about him that you can use to look smart later on.
ESPN Sources: Ishbia's purchase price is in the neighborhood of $4 billion. https://t.co/HzH2XSspHp
Miller expressed his dissatisfaction that players have been willing to call out owners but not one of their own. “In years past, this league has been great because the players have led the way and they have strong voices,” Miller said. “When Donald …
Miller expressed his dissatisfaction that players have been willing to call out owners but not one of their own. “In years past, this league has been great because the players have led the way and they have strong voices,” Miller said. “When Donald Sterling stepped in it, when Robert Sarver just recently stepped in it, our voices in the basketball community and our players were vocally strong in some type of discipline being handed down — or be gone. “The players have dropped the ball on this case when it’s been one of their own. It’s been crickets,” Miller added. “And it’s disappointing, because this league has been built on the shoulders of the players being advocates. Right is right and wrong is wrong. And if you’re gonna call out owners, and rightfully so, then you’ve got to call out players as well. You can’t go silent in terms of this for Kyrie Irving. I want to hear the players and their strong opinions as well, just as we heard about Robert Sarver and Donald Sterling.”
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Kyrie Irving has been in the news recently for promoting a movie that is considered to be antisemitic.
Hall of Famer Charles Barkley lashed out at the NBA for not taking any action so far 🗣️ basketnews.com/news-180248-ch… – 3:05 AM
Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
Kyrie Irving head coaches:
2011-13: Byron Scott
2013-14: Mike Brown
2014-16: David Blatt
2016-17: Tyronn Lue
2017-19: Brad Stevens
2019-20: Kenny Atkinson
2020: Jacque Vaughn
2020-22: Steve Nash
2022: Jacque Vaughn
2022-23: Ime Udoka? pic.twitter.com/3i6IVKEHBq – 11:10 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
LaVine on Dosunmu vs. Irving: “He steps up to the challenge all the time. Ayo even in his second year is a vocal leader. He helps pick up our energy, offensively, defensively, just the way he carries himself. In the fourth quarter, he came up with some giant steals.” – 10:45 PM
Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
The Nets landed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in part due to the incredible culture.
They’ve since fired two coaches, mortgaged their future to trade for a malcontent who quit on them and then traded him for another malcontent.
Just a stunning 180 in organizational culture. – 10:29 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Jacque Vaughn on if Kyrie was distracted: “I told the guys there’s no excuses. Whether it’s back to back, no excuses. Whether the changing scenery scenery of today, no excuses. This is what we do for a living, what we signed up for. It was gameday so we gotta bring it” #Nets – 10:03 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Bulls win..Bulls win..Bulls win. 108-99 over the Nets. @Zach LaVine 37 min. 29pts -20- 4th quarter. DeRozan with 20. Dosunmu with 17. Dragic 15. Williams 12pts 7 reb. Durant: 32. Irving 2-12pts. 0-6-3s. 4-6-7. . Ayo’s defense was superb. Bulls home with Hornets Wednesday. – 9:58 PM
Barbara Barker @meanbarb
Kyrie had four points in this loss. What was the matter? We may never no since Nets don’t want him to cause a postgame fuss. – 9:56 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Final: Nets fall to the Bulls 108-99. Jacque Vaughn’s interim magic against the Bulls comes to an end. Does he coach Friday in DC? Kevin Durant had 32 in the loss. Kyrie Irving had just four. Nets hit the road with no Ben Simmons return in sight. – 9:56 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Kyrie Irving has four points on 2-of-12 shooting and is minus-14. But the fact is the #Nets led by a dozen and flushed this one away. A clearly-upset KD walks off headed to the locker room after they coughed up a 24-11 run to close the game. #Bulls#NBA – 9:54 PM
Tas Melas @TasMelas
Next Brooklyn Net to leave
Sean Marks +400
Kyrie Irving +500
Kevin Durant +800
Ben Simmons N/A – 9:54 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Bulls 108, Nets 99
LaVine 29 pts (20 in 4th), 5 assists
DeRozan 20 pts
Dosunmu 17 pts, 4 assists, solid D on Irving
Dragic 15 pts
Williams 12 pts, 7 rebs
Durant 32 pts, 9 rebs, 6 assists
Irving 2-12 – 9:53 PM
Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
A meltdown by the Nets down the stretch. Bulls played harder and better when it mattered most. KD played tough throughout — but Kyrie looked disengaged most of the game. The Nets turned the ball over 17 times. A strange game in the midst of a stranger day — even for the Nets. – 9:52 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Kyrie has Vucevic on him on the perimeter and he’s giving it to Royce with Patrick Williams on him.
He’s just out of it tonight. – 9:45 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Kyrie sold this one for Brooklyn.
Chicago up 9 with 5:37 remaining after 7 straight from Zach Lavine. – 9:40 PM
Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Kyrie registers his first bucket a couple minutes into the 4th quarter. He’s now 1-for-8 in 24 minutes. – 9:30 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Kyrie Irving scores his first points of the game with a layup early in the fourth to give the Nets back the lead after going right around Patrick Williams, and then creates a layup for Nic Claxton at the other end on the next possession. Score is tied here at 84 with 9:22 to go. – 9:30 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
This is the worst game I’ve seen Kyrie Irving play in a very long time. 0 points on 0/7 shooting through three quarters.
If Nets were getting anything from him they would’ve had a nice cushion going into the 4th. They lead Chicago 80-77 instead. – 9:24 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
End of the third quarter: Nets lead the Bulls 80-77. DeMar just beat the buzzer. Kyrie Irving remains scoreless. Kevin Durant has 30. Can the Nets close this one out? – 9:24 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Bulls haven’t played well at either end but close 3rd quarter with Goran Dragic blocking a scoreless Kyrie Irving shot and DeMar DeRozan reaching 20 points to make it a one-possession game. – 9:23 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Kyrie Irving has gone scoreless in 20 minutes so far tonight.
Per @ESPNStatsInfo, Irving has gone scoreless in a game twice in his career – once when he played 2 minutes, another when he went 0-for-9 and played 20 minutes in a loss to Atlanta while a Cavalier on Dec. 6, 2013. – 9:14 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Night off for Kyrie? Glad to say I voted him most overrated player in the league four straight years in my annual preseason preview. That will continue. – 9:02 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Kyrie Irving looked tired and unaggressive in that first half. Played 13 minutes and took just 3 shots.
Not looking to attack or push the ball the way he typically does. – 8:41 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Half: Nets 58, Bulls 52
Durant: 20 pts, 4/6 shooting, 8/8 ft
O’Neale: 12 pts, 4 reb, 2/4 from three
Mills: 9 pts, 2/3 from three
Brooklyn leads at the break despite a scoreless half from Kyrie Irving. Nets shoot 9/19 from three. – 8:38 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Halftime: Nets lead the Bulls 58-52. Durant has 19. Kyrie is scoreless. Bulls have 10 more second-chance points than the Nets. Zach and DeMar keeping them in it. – 8:38 PM
Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Quiet night so far from Kyrie. He’s 0-for-3 from the field and has three assists and two rebounds in 13 minutes. KD is carrying the Nets offensively with 18 points in 18 minutes. – 8:36 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Kyrie Irving only played 13 minutes in the first half.
He averaged 39.6 minutes through the first 7 games of the season. – 8:36 PM
Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
Ime Udoka – his own questions still lingering – would be stepping into an almost no-lose/no-personal-blame situation in Brooklyn.
But sources tell @HeavyOnSports they wonder whether Kyrie and the seemingly constant drama will ever allow the Nets to win. bit.ly/3DkRTGQ – 8:12 PM
Sean Highkin @highkin
Seeing a LOT of the same people who were calling Kyrie a labor rights hero for skipping media day zoom a couple years ago now killing the Nets for shielding him from doing media now. – 6:36 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis #Nets GM Sean Marks admits Kyrie’s last postgame presser “didn’t go well.” He adds “At this point we don’t want to cause more fuss right now, more interaction with people. Let’s let him simmer down and…I guess let’s let cooler minds prevail.” – 5:40 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Last year, Heat center Meyers Leonard used an anti-Semitic phrase while playing a video game. After apologizing, Leonard was quickly suspended from all team activities, fined $50,000 and required to participate in a cultural diversity program.
ZERO repercussions for Kyrie Irving – 5:29 PM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Kyrie Irving won’t talk to the media today after not speaking to the media after last night’s Nets game. Sean Marks said it’s because he wants to let Irving “simmer down” and not create more “fuss.” He said Irving’s last media session “didn’t go well.” – 5:18 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
What a hollow, insincere statement… It’s been five days since Kyrie (who is a VP of the Players Association) posted a link to a film which quoted Hitler and this statement fails to even mention Irving by name. pic.twitter.com/bLUd7cicwy – 5:17 PM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Sean Marks says Kyrie Irving won’t do media again tonight.
“At some point he will do media again…We don’t want to create more of a fuss right now.” – 5:16 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Marks on why Irving is still playing: “He didn’t do media last night, he’s not going to do it tonight … we don’t want to cause more fuss right now … let’s let him simmer down and let cooler minds prevail … and get some direction, seek from the experts” – 5:16 PM
Tania Ganguli @taniaganguli
Sean Marks says Kyrie Irving won’t be talking to media today: “We don’t want to cause more fuss right now with more interaction with people.” – 5:15 PM
Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Sean Marks says Kyrie Irving won’t be doing media again tonight. Wanting to lower the temperature at the moment. – 5:15 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Sean Marks says Kyrie Irving will not be made available to the media tonight.
“We don’t want to cause more fuss right now. We decided to let him simmer down.” – 5:15 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Sean Marks says the team has had discussions with Kyrie behind the scenes and has been working with the ADL as the situation as unfolded. – 5:13 PM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Sean Marks said Nets have talked to the ADL and continue to talk with Kyrie Irving. Said there’s no place for hate speech.
“I’m certainly not proud of the situation we find ourselves in,” Marks said. “I’d like to turn ESPN or the TV not find you talking about us in that manner.” – 5:11 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Sean Marks: “As it pertains to, Kyrie I mean, we are having discussions – some internal, some external discussions – from the highest levels. We are involved with the #ADL and getting and getting their advice and and just hopefully they can advise us.” #Nets – 5:10 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Sean Marks said there’s conversations about Kyrie Irving behind the scenes. Doesn’t want to get into the specifics. – 5:10 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Marks on skepticism toward Nets: “I’m certainly not proud of the situation we find ourselves in … as it pertains to Kyrie, we’re having discussions.”
“There’s no tolerance in here for any hate speech.” – 5:10 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
GM Sean Marks said the organization and Steve Nash came to an understanding that it was the time to part ways with Nash because the team was not playing to its standard. Marks said there was no input from players – including Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving – on the decision. – 5:03 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
My bad, Joe Tsai did mention Kyrie by name in his statement. The NBA and NBPA (where Kyrie is a VP) did not. – 4:19 PM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
The NBPA released a statement condemning anti-Semitism though it doesn’t name Kyrie Irving, a VP there and ostensibly the reason why this statement was made. Says it is “committed to helping players fully understand that certain words can lead to hateful ideologies being spread.” pic.twitter.com/fEWztRMi4Z – 4:14 PM
Malika Andrews @malika_andrews
The NBPA issued the following statement condemning antisemitism.
It does not mention Kyrie Irving, who is a VP and recently shared the link to a movie containing antisemitic rhetoric, by name. pic.twitter.com/DPKdvzH1yQ – 4:11 PM
Howard Beck @HowardBeck
The players association @TheNBPA has just issued the following statement — presumably in response to (NBPA VP) Kyrie Irving’s recent posting of an antisemitic film. pic.twitter.com/ROD4PhOs7F – 4:10 PM
Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
Just posted:
Ime Udoka — his own questions still lingering — would be stepping into an almost no-lose situation in Brooklyn. But sources tell @HeavyOnSports they wonder whether Kyrie and the seemingly constant drama will ever allow the Nets to win. bit.ly/3DkRTGQ – 3:51 PM
Bill Reiter @sportsreiter
Udoka in Brooklyn is clearly more baggage at an already teetering organization. But I see it from the Nets side, too: He coached there, he is an excellent coach with a track record of success, & KD/Kyrie know him and surely singed off. This is, as always, about them. – 2:52 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Ime Udoka’s defensive background and familiarity with Brooklyn’s stars put him over the top.
Udoka coached KD and Kyrie as Nets defensive coordinator in 2020-21. He coached Simmons in the same role with Philadelphia in 2019-20.
The Nets rank 29th in defensive rating this year. – 2:26 PM
Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA
Steve Nash fired for not being able to get Kyrie Irving to care about anyone other than himself or make Ben Simmons give a toss about improving his game, to be replaced by someone who will obviously do these completely doable things immediately. – 2:24 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
One thing worth noting on Ime Udoka: when he was an assistant coach w/BKN, he wasn’t shy about coaching Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving with an edge/challenging them, as SNY reported. Udoka is suspended for the season by BOS, reportedly for inappropriate conduct with female staffer – 2:01 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Fun fact — This is what Kyrie and KD said in 2020 after Steve Nash was named head coach.
Kyrie: “I don’t really see us having a head coach… KD could be a head coach. I could be a head coach.”
KD: “Jacque Vaughn could do it one day.” pic.twitter.com/OhVElKsE1h – 1:24 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
As long as the Nets are making moves, maybe it’s time to part ways with the expiring contract that they will never extend. Talked to a few execs around the league who would not touch Kyrie. I can think of one who might take the chance – if not, pull the bandaid off. – 1:14 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
A month after Nash was hired, Kyrie Irving proclaimed: “I don’t really see us having a head coach. You know what I mean? KD could be a head coach. I could be a head coach.”
Durant then added: “Jacque Vaughn could do it one day. It’s a collaborative effort, I think, on our part.” – 1:09 PM
Tom Lorenzo @TomLorenzo
Reading into the situation for the “but after a win” crowd…the “mutual” agreement to “part ways” is important. Don’t think Nash wanted to be here. The summer strife, the Kyrie stuff, the awful start…best take a page out of J Kidd’s book and find a fresh start elsewhere. – 1:07 PM
Tas Melas @TasMelas
‘21 playoffs: Nets lose to the Bucks in 7 with Irving out and half a Harden. What if, what if, what if… – 1:03 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Kenny Atkinson gone.
Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen and James Harden and first-round draft picks all gone.
Steve Nash gone.
Kyrie Irving … still there. – 12:57 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Nets under Steve Nash:
— 94-67 record
— Won 1 playoff round
— KD/Kyrie played only 64 games together
— KD/Kyrie/Harden played only 16 games together pic.twitter.com/DMYiByvmws – 12:57 PM
Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA
Here are some questions for Kyrie he might want to use his free speech and leadership to answer.
1) Has he sought the counsel of anyone to help him understand why his actions are hurtful?
2) If there are more important issues we could be discussing, why did he raise that one? – 11:35 AM
Nick Wright @getnickwright
Here’s 20 minutes on what the Nets do with Kyrie, and more importantly how we got here, friends we’ve lost because of it, and how incredibly sad and scared it all makes me. youtu.be/AiPLhY5Rk1s – 8:59 AM
“I think he should have been suspended him,” Barkley said. “I think Adam [Silver] should have suspended him. First of all, Adam is Jewish — you can’t take my $40 million and insult my religion. You gonna insult me, you have the right, but I have the right to say, ‘You can’t take my $40 million and insult my religion.’ I think the NBA, they made a mistake. We’ve suspended people and fined people who have made homophobic slurs. And that was the right thing to do. If you insult the black community, you should be suspended or fined heavily.” -via Ryan Glasspiegel @ New York Post / November 2, 2022
Shaquille O’Neal ain’t down to outspend Jeff Bezos for the Phoenix Suns … but if the billionaire wants to join forces in an effort to own the NBA franchise – The Big Diesel tells TMZ Sports he’s in for that! Shaq says he initially had interest in …
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal took to his podcast The Big Podcast with Shaq this week to talk about how he was thinking about throwing his hat in the ring to purchase the Phoenix Suns. The rumored front-runners include former Disney CEO Bob Iger, billionaire Elon Musk, Oracle founder Larry Ellison, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. After seeing Bezos’ name, Shaq decided to bow out completely. “I was open [to the idea of purchasing the team] until I saw the initials JB. Let me tell you something, you don’t mess with James Brown, you don’t mess with Jeff Bezos,” Shaq said candidly. “When the boys come on stage, get your a** and go. So, Jeff said he wants it and a couple of other heavy hitters said they want it. I’m not even gonna put my name in the bucket on this one.” -via Entrepeneur / September 29, 2022
The rush to be first has created ethical conflicts with real impacts on people’s lives.
The NBA and the media that covers it rose to the position of prominence they now enjoy as a truly global sport because of their ability to engage fans with compelling narratives that extend far beyond basketball courts.
But both have sometimes handled those narratives in problematic ways that have caused damage to innocent bystanders, and the scandal surrounding Ime Udoka and the Boston Celtics has been emblematic of that unfortunate tendency. To be clear, the league and its media have been outstanding in their coverage of game-oriented and transactional aspects of the NBA.
But sensitive topics handled by a media culture that valorizes immediacy over caution has left outlets ill-prepared to cover fraught topics in ways that made a bad situation far worse in the case of the Celtics.
Highlights from the Boston Celtics press conference on Ime Udoka’s suspension https://t.co/ZOrDu46u1q
Voting Sarver out would have set the stage for how other owners could be removed.
Welcome to Layup Lines, our daily NBA newsletter where we’ll prep you for a tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every afternoon.
What’s good y’all. It’s Prince here with another Layup Lines, and I want to talk about Robert Sarver for a minute. The Phoenix Suns owner released a statement Wednesday saying he’s beginning the process of seeking buyers for both the Suns and Phoenix Mercury, bringing closer the end to a saga I was sure would drag out longer.
Rather than digging in and making the situation much more difficult, Sarver seems willing to bow out (read: cash out) a lot quieter than Donald Sterling — besides the disingenuous words in his statement.
Players were the most vocal about their displeasure with the lenient one-year ban Sarver received from the league. That includes LeBron James, the Suns’ Chris Paul and most recently Draymond Green, who on Tuesday called for a vote of the other 29 owners to have Sarver removed.
A public ousting would have been much more embarrassing for Sarver, and it also would have furthered a precedent for how the other owners could be removed themselves. So, naturally, a vote is the last thing they would have wanted. Voting also would have required three-fourths of the owners to agree on Sarver’s removal, and whether or not it passed, anyone who voted against it would have had to answer why.
The heat Sarver brought on himself was starting to get a little too hot for the league, and by extension, the other owners. So his decision to sell just a week after the NBA announced findings of its investigation — and a week before teams host media days — saves them a lot of trouble. That’s not to say the other owners definitely played a quiet role in his decision to step away, but they absolutely benefit in it going away like this.
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When Robert Sarver sells the Phoenix Suns, the other 29 NBA team owners won’t be the only ones benefitting from it. Nope, Sarver himself, will be a big winner too.
That’s right, the “punishment” for his disgusting behavior as a person charged with running an NBA franchise is having to sell that franchise for almost $2 billion. Poor him.
“He blames an ‘unforgiving climate’ as the reason he must sell the franchise he owns currently valued at $1.8 billion, according to Forbes. Clearly, there’s no such thing as accountability in the world of Robert Sarver. There’s no mention of the derogatory, offensive and straight-up hateful behavior and language he’s used to harm people. Instead, he finds time to cite the ‘good’ he’s done ‘or could still do’ — as if it weren’t a decades-long track record that got him here in the first place.
He makes it seem as if he’s just a boy who the world has chosen to punish for past misdeeds. Woe is him. He’s just another victim of the heinous cancel culture that eventually comes for us all.
But don’t get it twisted. Sarver is no victim here. What sort of victim leaves a situation where they’ve spent decades doing damage only to become $2 billion richer than they were in the first place?
Make no mistake — Sarver having to sell his team isn’t a punishment. If anything, it’s a privilege. One that only the richest of the rich could ever afford to have in our society.”
Good riddance, Robert Sarver. Take your money and go.
To no one’s surprise, disgraced Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver has decided to sell his teams after becoming the face of the league’s biggest scandal over the last few weeks.
So he had to sell. This was the corner he was essentially backed into. This brings us to the feckless “woe, is me” statement Sarver released following the news of his decision to sell.
Suns/Mercury owner Robert Sarver announces he has begun the process of looking for buyers for the team: pic.twitter.com/KKZQM6rYNk
With this, as my colleague Andrew Joseph brilliantly pointed out, he managed to show a complete lack of remorse for what he did.
He blames an “unforgiving climate” as the reason he must sell the franchise he owns currently valued at $1.8 billion, according to Forbes. Clearly, there’s no such thing as accountability in the world of Robert Sarver. There’s no mention of the derogatory, offensive and straight-up hateful behavior and language he’s used to harm people. Instead, he finds time to cite the “good” he’s done “or could still do” — as if it weren’t a decades-long track record that got him here in the first place.
He makes it seem as if he’s just a boy who the world has chosen to punish for past misdeeds. Woe is him. He’s just another victim of the heinous cancel culture that eventually comes for us all.
But don’t get it twisted. Sarver is no victim here. What sort of victim leaves a situation where they’ve spent decades doing damage only to become $2 billion richer than they were in the first place?
Make no mistake — Sarver having to sell his team isn’t a punishment. If anything, it’s a privilege. One that only the richest of the rich could ever afford to have in our society.
Think about it. He repeatedly used the n-word and harassed his employees in all sorts of different ways for years. What were the consequences? He had to leave work for a year and pay a fine that probably feels more like $1,000 than $10 million to a man of his current worth.
Adam Silver openly admitted there wasn’t much the NBA could do. They couldn’t force his removal without majority approval from at least 23 owners — and well, good luck with that. He didn’t get a lifetime ban as his former colleague Donald Sterling did. He didn’t have to stop owning the team. He just couldn’t come to work.
Now, on his own volition, he’ll become a whole lot richer than he already is. Sure, he’ll never be able to show his face in the NBA again. But who cares? He’s about to make billions off of what is one of the best teams in the league.
Don’t let Robert Sarver — or anyone else on the internet, for that matter — fool you. He’s totally fine. He’s probably a lot happier today than he was yesterday. A couple billion will do that for you.
Good for you, Robert Sarver. And good riddance. Take your money and go.
[listicle id=1964179]
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When the NBA announced that it was suspending Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver for one year following an investigation that revealed racist and sexist conduct in the workplace, many across the basketball community believed that the league fell short of doing the right thing.
The situation ended up needing pressure from corporate sponsors and players to actually force a change. And on Wednesday, that pressure was realized. Sarver announced in a statement that he was going to begin the process of selling both the Suns and Mercury.
But in true Sarver fashion, he played himself as the victim in the terribly tone-deaf statement.
Suns/Mercury owner Robert Sarver announces he has begun the process of looking for buyers for the team: pic.twitter.com/KKZQM6rYNk
Sarver blamed an “unforgiving climate” that left him no choice but to sell the franchise he purchased for $400 and is now valued between $1.5 and $1.8 billion. He also threw in an “as a man of faith” to awaken the ghost of Nick Castellanos.
According to the league’s investigation, Sarver used the N-word at least five times in the workplace. That was in addition to “instances of inequitable conduct toward female employees” and “sex-related comments.”
When ESPN released its full report last year, the Suns tried to preempt the news cycle by having prominent figures in the organization release statements of support for Sarver. Those statements have now been deleted as if the situation couldn’t have gotten any more embarrassing for the Suns.
On the day the NBA announced its findings into the Phoenix Suns, some began retweeting the team's initial response — a thread — to the allegations from Oct. 2021.
Later that same day, some noted that the Suns' Twitter thread had been deleted.
But mainly, Sarver’s statement showed a complete lack of remorse, blaming others for holding him accountable. And, again, this “punishment” is going to net him a billion dollars! No wonder fans crushed this awful response from the soon-to-be-former Suns owner.
Draymond Green questioned how someone like Robert Sarver could lead an organization whose success “is pretty much built on the backs of African Americans.” “When he returns next year, because it’s only a year, does everything just go back to …
Kendra Andrews @kendra__andrews
“To think that someone like Robert Sarver that’s acting in that manner can continue to represent us? That’s
bulls—-.”
On the latest episode of The Draymond Green show, Green discusses the Sarver investigation and suspension. From @Baxter Holmes: es.pn/3BUuqwH – 1:40 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
New Dunc’d On Prime with
@DanFeldmanNBA
exploring all aspects of the Robert Sarver situation in Phoenix and taking our best guess at where things go from here. Join us
https://t.co/0OLM0cUWJ9 pic.twitter.com/mr30NosMet – 4:12 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
New Dunc’d On Prime with
@DanFeldmanNBA
exploring all aspects of the Robert Sarver situation in Phoenix and taking our best guess at where things go from here. Join us
https://t.co/0OLM0cUWJ9 pic.twitter.com/fkhEM8OWtC – 1:31 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
New Dunc’d On Prime with
@DanFeldmanNBA
exploring all aspects of the Robert Sarver situation in Phoenix and taking our best guess at where things go from here. Join us
https://t.co/0OLM0cUWJ9 pic.twitter.com/FD5CZMHxH9 – 10:10 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Check out this week’s Forward Progress on SiriusXM Sports!
🏀 Robert Sarver Suspended
🏀 Dallas Mavericks CEO’s New Memoir
🏈 A First At The University of Nebraska
📻 Listen Here: https://t.co/cGXZj8cDMl pic.twitter.com/IhnmRFYRi7 – 10:08 PM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
GAME THEORY PODCAST: @Robby Kalland is here to continue our yearly NBA Win Total Over/Under Podcast tradition.
Today is Part One: Western Conference. That, plus Robert Sarver.
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Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
In a preview of Monday’s article, the Denver Nuggets have an offensive rating of 126.6 in the 1,139 career minutes that Jokić, Murray, and MPJ have shared the court together, both regular season and playoffs.
Steph, Klay, and Dray are at 118.9. Sub Dray for KD and it’s 123.0 – 10:57 PM
Golden State Warriors All-Star forward Draymond Green called on NBA owners to hold a vote to terminate Robert Sarver’s position as owner of the Phoenix Suns. “I’m asking that there be a vote,” Green said on “The Draymond Green Show” podcast, which was published Tuesday. The league’s rules require a vote of three-quarters of the board of governors to remove an owner. “It’s a little baffling to me that we’ll walk into the arena next year,” Green said on his podcast. “The Phoenix Suns will walk into the arena next year, he’ll sit on the sideline and we’ll just continue on playing. So the one thing that I am going to need is someone to explain to me why is it that it was OK to get rid of [LA Clippers owner Donald] Sterling, but it’s not possible to force Robert Sarver to sell after what we read? “… I’m asking that there be a vote. If that’s the only way, then let’s see what those numbers are. Let’s see what they are.” -via ESPN / September 20, 2022
The NBA will have some more major Robert Sarver problems on their hands soon
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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 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.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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.
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PayPal will end its partnership with the Suns if Sarver remains involved with the team.
Phoenix Suns governor Robert Sarver’s one-year suspension is an example of a punishment that doesn’t fit the crime. It isn’t nearly severe enough considering the racism, misogyny and sexism uncovered by the NBA’s investigation of his workplace conduct.
The lenient punishment has drawn criticism from all corners of the basketball world, including LeBron James and Chris Paul. The latest to show disappointment in commissioner Adam Silver’s ruling is PayPal, a sponsor of the Suns whose logo is proudly displayed on the front of their jerseys.
On Friday, PayPal said if Sarver remains involved with the Suns once their current deal expires at the end of the season, the company will end its partnership with the team.
“PayPal is a values-driven company and has a strong record of combatting racism, sexism and all forms of discrimination,” PayPal CEO and president Dan Schulman said in a statement. “We have reviewed the report of the NBA league’s independent investigation into Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver and have found his conduct unacceptable and in conflict with our values. PayPal’s sponsorship with the Suns is set to expire at the end of the current season. In light of the findings of the NBA’s investigation, we will not renew our sponsorship should Robert Sarver remain involved with the Suns organization, after serving his suspension.”
PayPal isn’t simply calling for a more severe punishment. The company is joining a chorus of people who want Sarver permanently removed. This is the first big domino to fall in his potential sale of the team, because once money starts talking, people have to listen.
While PayPal’s statement is important, however, it’s just a first step in a battle that will require even more pressure on Sarver, the NBA and other team owners. In a press conference on Wednesday, Silver called the potential removal of a team from its owner a “very involved process.” In other words, it’s a headache he or the league doesn’t want. And the NBA already has support from another sponsor, with Kia saying Friday it stands with the league.
"There are particular rights here to someone who owns an NBA team as opposed to somebody who is an employee."
Adam Silver answered @HowardBeck's question as to why there is a different standard held for Robert Sarver as an owner in the NBA
If the NBA is going to be pressured to remove Sarver, it’s going to take more sponsors to come out on the side of PayPal. Under Paragraph 13 of the NBA constitution, via Forbes, NBA owners can only strip another owner of their team, by three-fourths vote, if that owner “fails to fulfill” a “contractual obligation” in “such a way as to affect the [NBA] or its members adversely.”
Sarver’s behavior and the subsequent PR should qualify as adversely affecting the NBA on its own. But if not, a loss of sponsors and league revenue certainly would. More importantly, losing money could make Sarver decide to voluntarily sell the team rather than put a legal fight in court over a forced sale.
The last instance of a team being removed from an owner was the Los Angeles Clippers and Donald Sterling, which resulted in a lawsuit that the league had to settle. And even that sale required Sterling’s wife, Shelley, to first remove him from the family trust in order to take control of the Clippers.
The sponsors are important because Sarver is only going to dump the team when it’s not worth his time or energy to own it anymore. The only people who can make him feel that way are the people who make him money. The players could also potentially make his life more difficult, but it would be an even worse look for the NBA if players have to step away from their professions to do something it should have taken care of in the first place.
It wasn’t until the Washington Commanders’ stadium sponsor FedEx threatened to pull its partnership before team owner Daniel Snyder agreed to change the team’s name. Similar action from Suns stadium sponsor Footprint would go a long way towards putting similar pressure on Sarver. PayPal alone isn’t enough, but it is a good start.
