The investigation that found Robert Sarver used racist and sexist language as owner of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury is another troubling addition to the list of players who abuse their power.
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I don’t want to write this column, and you don’t want to read it.
Sports fans are tired of the whole thing: sports people giving the games we love a terrible name.
I’m talking about privileged champions. Abusers and misogynists. People who are racist and borderline ignorant and outright hateful.
I’m talking about players and club owners who use their power like a cudgel and act like they can do whatever they want to whoever they want.
But here I am again, this time talking to Robert Sarver, owner of the Phoenix Suns of the N.B.A. and the Phoenix Mercury of the W.N.B.A., which the N.B.A. he was suspended for a year and fined $10 million after it was found that he mistreated employees during his 18 years on the job. According to the N.B.A., that employee harassment included Sarver’s frequent use of racial slurs for Black people, making comments related to sexism in the workplace and the unfair treatment of women.
The league’s report did not conclude that “Mr. Sarver’s misconduct on the job was motivated by racial or gender prejudice.”
In a statement Tuesday, Sarver said that while he disagreed with “some aspects” of the NBA report, he apologized for his words and actions.
It sounds like a constant drumbeat. This week, I’m writing about a guy – and yes, it’s almost always a guy – whose actions are the latest damage to sports, one of the most important parts of our cultural life.
Sarver is not well known to the running back, but the teams he owns and oversees are. The Suns and Mercury are long-time mainstays in their respective leagues. The Suns almost won the N.B.A. 2020-21 season and was one of the best in the league last season. The Mercury won three W.N.B.A. titles – and they have attracted worldwide attention because Brittney Griner, their star, is imprisoned in Russia and in the middle of a political storm.
Over the past year, Sarver and his teams have been under the microscope. While the Suns and Mercury were trying to win championships, lawyers hired by the N.B.A. began looking into the 60-year-old owner’s behavior after ESPN reported on his wrongdoing and the toxic work environment he created.
The type of behavior researchers have reported is so common, as it has happened in so many other cases, that it won’t take long to guess what they involve. Misogyny? Check it out. Harassing and punishing employees? Check it out.
What You Need to Know: The Robert Sarver Misconduct Case
What to Know:Robert Sarver Misconduct Case
Suspension and charge. Team N.B.A. suspended Robert Sarver, the principal owner of the Phoenix Suns, for one year and fined him $10 million after an investigation found that he had engaged in misconduct with his employees. To see also : NYC Department of Health Monkeypox Vaccine Strategy and Priority for First Doses. Here’s what you need to know:
How did it start? Sarver, 60, led the ownership group that bought the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury in 2004 for $401 million. He has developed a reputation for being the owner of a person who is not afraid to draw attention to himself with strange things, such as jumping on the trampoline during the holidays.
A disturbing report. In November 2021, an ESPN report reported allegations that Sarver, who is white, frequently used anti-Black language in the presence of staff and players, and made obscene and sexual comments. about women at work.
Sarver’s answer. After news of ESPN’s investigation into Sarver went public, the Suns released statements denying Sarver had a history of racism or sexism. Sarver, speaking to ESPN, denied most of the allegations in the article.
N.B.A. research. After the publication of the article, the league began to look into allegations of misconduct against Sarver, retaining the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct independent research.
A shocking report. In September 2022, the firm and the N.B.A. released a 43-page report documenting the research findings. The report said Sarver “engaged in conduct that clearly violated normal workplace standards,” which included the use of racial slurs as well as inappropriate comments and behavior toward employees.
After speaking with more than 300 current and former employees and reviewing more than 80,000 documents, emails, text messages and videos, investigators found that Sarver repeatedly used the offensive and racist word beginning with “N.” The poor man, he could not control himself, even though his subordinates warned him not to do so.
The site also reported that Sarver ran his team like he was the sophomoric president of the weirdest house on campus.
It sounds as bad as Daniel Snyder, owner of the Washington Commanders, who is being investigated by Congress and the N.F.L. for sexual abuse.
It sounds as bad as Donald Sterling, the former owner of the Clippers, whose racism led to his expulsion from the N.B.A. in 2014.
It sounds as bad as Jon Gruden, a former broadcaster and N.F.L. the coach who led the Las Vegas Raiders until my colleagues Ken Belson and Katherine Rosman exposed emails in which he spread his hate and racism.
It sounds like Richie Burke, the former manager of the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League, who was fired after players accused him of making numerous threats to them.
There is a running parallel: power over vulnerable people with the expectation that there will be no consequences.
I can’t get over the way our society represents the rich, powerful and respected – and how many people in sports use that status at the expense of others.
Enough with the bad behavior in sports. And enough of the sports leagues floundering and floundering and finding loopholes and reasons not to come down full force on those whose actions hurt others.
This week, it’s the same old story: a river of commentary gnashing its teeth about how Sarver’s punishment from the league office of the N.B.A. equally strong.
At a press conference on Wednesday, the N.B.A. Commissioner Adam Silver said Sarver’s behavior over the past 18 years was “unsafe,” but there was no talk of removing him as team owner.
When asked if he sets a line for ownership behavior, Silver said, “There’s no clear line, as far as ownership, and I don’t want to create one to suggest that people can it does.” Silver also said he believes Sarver “clearly has been a person for that 18-year period” and that the owner is “informed.”
We all deserve better. Time to cut back on the old-boy protective networks that often get mild results that fail to show real change.
Stop allowing dirty games that make the rich and privileged more than they already are.
Sarver is in the news now. Next week or next month, or next year, it will be someone else. We would all like to be able to focus on the beauty of competition and the wonder of an unforgettable performance. Can we look forward to that day soon?
I won’t hold my breath. Don’t hold your own.
