My conclusions.
- Sarver is an a-hole and doesn't appear to be a good guy. He runs a toxic organization that likely after this story will damage the Suns reputation. This part shouldn't be a surprise. We have seen his behavior reflect poorly on the Suns. We knew this.
- Some of this appears to be him joking in poor taste over and over.
- Some might be old school misogyny
- Some might be from disgruntled ex-employees.
- Some and possibly the most disturbing are the racist and sexist incidents in the organization. If even 10% of this type of stuff happens at a regular job heads role and people are fired. There are some disturbing patterns of his behavior that CANNOT be overlooked provided the number of employees (not all fired) that seemed to confirm those patterns of behavior and how the organization is run (Ex HR head and Co-owner for starters).
- I think Sarver should go. When an owner becomes a distraction, that can impact who gets hired in the front office, what free agents you can attract and becomes a bigger story than the team? It's time to go.
- Is there enough here to force him out? Not sure. That's the NBA's job but that might be harder than you think. 70 people were interviewed. If MOST of these people with the most serious allegations are willing to put their name on record? Again...he should go.
www.espn.com
"You know, why does Draymond Green get to run up the court and say [N-word]," Sarver, who is white, allegedly said, repeating the N-word several times in a row. "You can't say that," Watson, who is Black and Hispanic, told Sarver. "Why?" Sarver replied. "Draymond Green says [N-word]." "You can't f---ing say that," Watson said again.
"Some told ESPN that he has used racially insensitive language repeatedly in the office."
"Sarver once passing around a picture of his wife in a bikini to employees and speaking about times his wife performed oral sex on him. " "More than a dozen employees recalled Sarver making lewd comments in all-staff meetings, including discussing times when his wife would perform oral sex on him. Four former employees said that in several all-staff meetings Sarver claimed he needed to wear Magnum or extra-large condoms. Former employees said he asked players about their sex lives and the sexual prowess of their significant others."
This from a CO-Owner:
"The level of misogyny and racism is beyond the pale," one Suns co-owner said about Sarver. "It's embarrassing as an owner."
Again, multiple people dispute Sarver NEVER using the "N" word:
"At least a half-dozen Suns staffers recounted to ESPN instances of Sarver hearing a story from a Black player and then using the same language when retelling it, down to the usage of the N-word."
Another instance:
"These [N-words] need a [N-word]," Sarver told the staffer of his largely Black team, according to the executive."
The former head of HR confirms that basically misconduct, wrongful termination and other things was a regular thing in the organization and the team settled suits all the time to keep it out of the press.
- Sarver is an a-hole and doesn't appear to be a good guy. He runs a toxic organization that likely after this story will damage the Suns reputation. This part shouldn't be a surprise. We have seen his behavior reflect poorly on the Suns. We knew this.
- Some of this appears to be him joking in poor taste over and over.
- Some might be old school misogyny
- Some might be from disgruntled ex-employees.
- Some and possibly the most disturbing are the racist and sexist incidents in the organization. If even 10% of this type of stuff happens at a regular job heads role and people are fired. There are some disturbing patterns of his behavior that CANNOT be overlooked provided the number of employees (not all fired) that seemed to confirm those patterns of behavior and how the organization is run (Ex HR head and Co-owner for starters).
- I think Sarver should go. When an owner becomes a distraction, that can impact who gets hired in the front office, what free agents you can attract and becomes a bigger story than the team? It's time to go.
- Is there enough here to force him out? Not sure. That's the NBA's job but that might be harder than you think. 70 people were interviewed. If MOST of these people with the most serious allegations are willing to put their name on record? Again...he should go.
Allegations of racism and misogyny within the Phoenix Suns: Inside Robert Sarver's 17-year tenure as owner
An ESPN investigation, featuring interviews with more than 70 current and former Suns employees, reveals accusations of racism and misogyny against owner Robert Sarver -- and a toxic workplace many employees believe his behavior emboldened.
"You know, why does Draymond Green get to run up the court and say [N-word]," Sarver, who is white, allegedly said, repeating the N-word several times in a row. "You can't say that," Watson, who is Black and Hispanic, told Sarver. "Why?" Sarver replied. "Draymond Green says [N-word]." "You can't f---ing say that," Watson said again.
"Some told ESPN that he has used racially insensitive language repeatedly in the office."
"Sarver once passing around a picture of his wife in a bikini to employees and speaking about times his wife performed oral sex on him. " "More than a dozen employees recalled Sarver making lewd comments in all-staff meetings, including discussing times when his wife would perform oral sex on him. Four former employees said that in several all-staff meetings Sarver claimed he needed to wear Magnum or extra-large condoms. Former employees said he asked players about their sex lives and the sexual prowess of their significant others."
This from a CO-Owner:
"The level of misogyny and racism is beyond the pale," one Suns co-owner said about Sarver. "It's embarrassing as an owner."
Again, multiple people dispute Sarver NEVER using the "N" word:
"At least a half-dozen Suns staffers recounted to ESPN instances of Sarver hearing a story from a Black player and then using the same language when retelling it, down to the usage of the N-word."
Another instance:
"These [N-words] need a [N-word]," Sarver told the staffer of his largely Black team, according to the executive."
The former head of HR confirms that basically misconduct, wrongful termination and other things was a regular thing in the organization and the team settled suits all the time to keep it out of the press.
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