Robert Sarver is in Big Trouble (ANNOUNCES SALE PROCESS)

[Yuma]

I still think from the rumors I have read that he is a bad boss. Pantsing a guy at a meeting. Saying inappropriate things. However, I don't think it rises to the level they will take his franchise away. As far as we know, he wasn't forcing his workers to have sex with him to keep their jobs or get raises, he wasn't overtly racist, etc. I am just going by the leaks we have read. He just seems like a real jerk to work for. Those of us that have been in the workforce a long time probably have situations with former bosses that were not so great.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I still think from the rumors I have read that he is a bad boss. Pantsing a guy at a meeting. Saying inappropriate things. However, I don't think it rises to the level they will take his franchise away. As far as we know, he wasn't forcing his workers to have sex with him to keep their jobs or get raises, he wasn't overtly racist, etc. I am just going by the leaks we have read. He just seems like a real jerk to work for. Those of us that have been in the workforce a long time probably have situations with former bosses that were not so great.

I mostly agree with this but I have to wonder what kind of atmosphere developed around him. IOW, I'm not so sure about other management members when it comes to overt racism, sexism and other lines that shouldn't be crossed but might have been if you accept the rumors and second hand reports.

 

[Mainstreet]

I mostly agree with this but I have to wonder what kind of atmosphere developed around him. IOW, I'm not so sure about other management members when it comes to overt racism, sexism and other lines that shouldn't be crossed but might have been if you accept the rumors and second hand reports.

I really don't know about the past but when I see hires of James Jones, Monty Williams and the former NBPA representative coming to play for the Suns, the allegations of systemic racism doesn't seem to fit.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I really don't know about the past but when I see hires of James Jones, Monty Williams and the former NBPA representative coming to play for the Suns, the allegations of systemic racism doesn't seem to fit.

I think Sarver has a lot of faults but yeah, I don't believe racism is one of them. I'm not suggesting it's a perfect organization in this regard but I seriously doubt it's prevalent throughout the company - so I really should have just said sexism as that seems like it might be an issue there. And probably in a lot of NBA franchises.

 

[Sparky16]

No news but I'm far less optimistic that he'll be removed than at any point prior. The longer this drags out with no news the more I believe he'll get a slap on the wrist.

They could be building a solid case for a swift removal, of course, but I believe we'd have heard something more by now if that was the case.

a slap on the wrist for what? Jalen Rose should lose his job for his blatant slander. Again, i dont care for $arver but what has been provided as proof vs accusations made is BS.

 

[AzStevenCal]

a slap on the wrist for what? Jalen Rose should lose his job for his blatant slander. Again, i dont care for $arver but what has been provided as proof vs accusations made is BS.

I think Jalen Rose escaped because he prefaced it with "if". Now, it appeared that, in context, he didn't really mean "if" but the word is there. And if he survived the comments he made years ago about Grant Hill and Duke then surviving this comment is a no-brainer. The local reporter that jumped on the bandwagon and supported Jalen's comment should be run out of town though unless he wants to still stand by that message. In which case it should investigated.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I really don't know about the past but when I see hires of James Jones, Monty Williams and the former NBPA representative coming to play for the Suns, the allegations of systemic racism doesn't seem to fit.

I think that’s a really dubious way to show someone’s not racist or there isn’t systemic racism. Donald Sterling, a notorious racist employee Elgin Baylor as GM and Doc Rivers as HC. Didnt make him any less of a racist.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think that’s a really dubious way to show someone’s not racist or there isn’t systemic racism. Donald Sterling, a notorious racist employee Elgin Baylor as GM and Doc Rivers as HC. Didnt make him any less of a racist.

True, he was nice enough to give black people jobs. Almost a saint.

 

[Muggz]

If this team keeps playing like this I might have to get behind Sarver.



With a bat

 

[Mainstreet]

I think that’s a really dubious way to show someone’s not racist or there isn’t systemic racism. Donald Sterling, a notorious racist employee Elgin Baylor as GM and Doc Rivers as HC. Didnt make him any less of a racist.

Let the chips fall where they may.

The Suns do not seem like a racist organization. I wouldn't doubt Sarver may have made comments that are racist without understanding the implications. Looking from the outside, it appears he have tried too hard to be a part of the team culture.

 

[Hoop Head]

a slap on the wrist for what? Jalen Rose should lose his job for his blatant slander. Again, i dont care for $arver but what has been provided as proof vs accusations made is BS.

Jalen is scum. He only muddied the waters with his commentary that he inserted as if it were part of the story. That's the last thing a so called reporter should do.

As far as what may happen to Sarver, I can see the league ordering a bunch of sensitivity training for the whole organization, from the top down, all to be paid for by Sarver himself. He appears guilty of being an a$$hole and seems to have created a toxic work environment. I don't believe he's done anything that will cause the league to take the team from him. His attitude and character seems to have allowed for a bad situation to get bad enough that it makes the league and this franchise in particular look bush league.

 

[Raindog]

Just to be clear, Sarver doesn't just have to be a "blatant" racist to get removed. There are lots of other allegations against him that could get him removed. Creating a toxic environment and culture in the Suns organization (which does seem to include some elements of racism, but not exclusively so) as has been alleged, could be sufficient to get him out if the NBA deems it. It was enough to get the Portland exec removed, and he was never accused of racism... although that was via the organization itself.

 

[95pro]

I'm loving not seeing, hearing or reading anything from Sarver. Just stay in the background.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I really don't know about the past but when I see hires of James Jones, Monty Williams and the former NBPA representative coming to play for the Suns, the allegations of systemic racism doesn't seem to fit.

The accusations of racism is so common today, like an automatic throw-in, that no really takes it that seriously any more. It's really too bad because the net result is that real instances of racism get overlooked.

I think it is possible that someone got to Sarver, maybe James Jones, and he has cleaned up his act in recent years.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Let the chips fall where they may.

The Suns do not seem like a racist organization. I wouldn't doubt Sarver may have made comments that are racist without understanding the implications. Looking from the outside, it appears he have tried too hard to be a part of the team culture.

Yeah. Awkward white guy trying to be a bro with all the players on the team. Trying way too hard and doing inappropriate things to try to fit in. That would kinda explain all of it.

It would also explain why his behavior might be different in his early 40's and his upper 50's.

 

[Chaplin]

The accusations of racism is so common today, like an automatic throw-in, that no really takes it that seriously any more. It's really too bad because the net result is that real instances of racism get overlooked.

I think it is possible that someone got to Sarver, maybe James Jones, and he has cleaned up his act in recent years.

Nobody takes it seriously? Really? I think more people are taking it seriously now then they have in the last 30 years.

 

[Hoop Head]

Yeah. Awkward white guy trying to be a bro with all the players on the team. Trying way to hard and doing inappropriate things to try to fit in. That would kinda explain all of it.

It would also explain why his behavior might be different in his early 40's and his upper 50's.

That's always been how I've viewed Sarver. He thinks he's one of the boys and that would definitely explain a lot of the behavior that's been noted. It doesn't excuse it but it doesn't make it malicious either, which is what I believe if would need to be for him to be forcefully removed.

Maybe it was growing up that helped cool that behavior. I've always thought that being a terrible team didn't allow him the same opportunities for the buffoonery we saw from him during the Nash years. Perhaps the combo helped him grow up a little.

This whole situation reminds me of the saying "Don't attribute to malice that which can be explained by stupidity."

 

[Hoop Head]

Nobody takes it seriously? Really? I think more people are taking it seriously now then they have in the last 30 years.

Proof of racism is taken more seriously now than ever before but there needs to be evidence. Accusations of racism are thrown about way too often that they aren't taken that seriously without actual evidence to corroborate the claims.

 

[Mainstreet]

The accusations of racism is so common today, like an automatic throw-in, that no really takes it that seriously any more. It's really too bad because the net result is that real instances of racism get overlooked.

I think it is possible that someone got to Sarver, maybe James Jones, and he has cleaned up his act in recent years.

Yeah. Awkward white guy trying to be a bro with all the players on the team. Trying way to hard and doing inappropriate things to try to fit in. That would kinda explain all of it.

It would also explain why his behavior might be different in his early 40's and his upper 50's.

Times change and people can change too. Whether that's the case here, I don't know.

There are some former Suns players in the media who could easily speak out if racism was an issue. I'm not hearing it.

That doesn't mean there weren't other problems in the workplace environment which could pose a major problem.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Proof of racism is taken more seriously now than ever before but there needs to be evidence. Accusations of racism are thrown about way too often that they aren't taken that seriously without actual evidence to corroborate the claims.

great explanation. Thank you.

 

[elindholm]

I think that’s a really dubious way to show someone’s not racist or there isn’t systemic racism.

It's impossible to show that someone isn't racist. As soon as someone tries to defend themselves against the accusation, all they do is draw more suspicion.

 

[Cheesebeef]

It's impossible to show that someone isn't racist. As soon as someone tries to defend themselves against the accusation, all they do is draw more suspicion.

ok.

 

[Superbone]

I'm loving not seeing, hearing or reading anything from Sarver. Just stay in the background.

Phoenix Suns Owner Sarver Has Long History of Supporting Diversity and Inclusion

NNPA NEWSWIRE — When NBA players and owners agreed to become more inclusive and promised better diversity measures following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Sarver and the Suns led the way. They transformed the team’s former home, the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, into a voting site. The move...

blackpressusa.com

I guess this was back in December. The timing seems suspect.

 

[1tinsoldier]

December is also when that other site launched. Though this Black Press site looks legit, and the writer seems legit, i can't say the same for the article, and you have to wonder who paid to have it written?

who would pick Sarver "first" for a "national series featuring NBA owners on the issue of diversity, equity, and inclusion?" -- and where's the rest of the series, 2 months later?

a good portion of the piece is anecdotes related to Saver's father being a friend of the guy who hired the first Black college coach.

and what writer would include this line, in an unbiased article, this December:
"His businesses have run without controversy, operating without complaints or rumors of discrimination."

same Sarver photo in the Sarver saver articles on both sites

likely no mole job. but another snow job nonetheless

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Anybody else dig that new trailer for the Lord of the Rings show?