NBA Suspends Phoenix Suns Owner Over Racial Slurs, Harassment

September 14, 2022

The National Basketball Association suspended Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver for one year and ordered him to pay $10 million after an investigation found he used racial slurs, sexually harassed female employees and bullied some staff members.

The league announced the decision Tuesday following the conclusion of an independent investigation involving more than 80,000 documents and other materials and interviews with 320 people, including current and former employees. The NBA said Sarver “engaged in conduct that clearly violated common workplace standards.”

The NBA today issued the following statement: pic.twitter.com/jjlBK771PT

Sarver, who also owns the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, won’t be allowed at any NBA or WNBA facility or event during his suspension. He has also been ordered to attend a training program “focused on respect and appropriate conduct in the workplace.” The NBA will donate the funds from his league-maximum fine to three organizations addressing race and gender equality in and out of the workplace.

Photo: Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver / Bloomberg

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