NBA hires law firm to investigate racism allegations against Phoenix Suns owner - SportsPro - SportsPro Media
- NBA promises Wachtell Lipton will conduct “comprehensive investigation”
- Sarver denies all allegations made in ESPN report
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has asked a law firm to investigate the Phoenix Suns after an ESPN report alleged that owner Robert Sarver has a history of racist, misogynistic and hostile incidents during his 17-year ownership of the franchise.
Mike Bass, NBA executive vice president of communications, said in a statement that the allegations were “extremely serious” and confirmed that the Wachtell Lipton law firm had been directed to “commence a comprehensive investigation”.
ESPN’s report on 4th November detailed a string of inappropriate actions by Sarver, including a few detailed via sources on the record. The Suns issued a lengthy statement denying the report.
Sarver also denied or disputed most of the allegations through his legal team and said he would ‘entirely welcome an impartial NBA investigation’ into the allegations.
Former Suns coach Earl Watson said Sarver repeated the N-word several times when voicing his displeasure at hearing it used on court by a player. Watson said he told Sarver that he cannot use that word.
Sarver addressed Watson’s allegations in his personal statement, questioning the now Toronto Raptors’ assistant’s credibility. Watson issued a counter statement saying he would not engage in an ‘ongoing battle of fact’ and applauded those who spoke out against Sarver.
The report also details a story about how Sarver passed around a picture of his wife in a bikini to employees, with ESPN also alleging that the a dozen employees also said the Suns owner had a history of ‘making lewd comments in all-staff meetings’.
The NBA Players Association (NBAPA ) said in a statement that it was ‘continuing to review the allegations’ and applauded the league’s decision to conduct an investigation.
Sarver, 59, has owned the Suns since 2004 and also owns the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) Phoenix Mercury.
The Suns, who have never won an NBA title, are looking to repeat last season where they reached the finals before losing in six games to the Milwaukee Bucks.
source: https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/nba-law-firm-investigate-racism-allegations-phoenix-suns-sarver/
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