The NBA reacted shortly after the release of
ESPN survey on the subject, Thursday. The body that manages the North American professional basketball championship has announced the opening of an investigation into allegations of racism, sexism and misogyny against Robert Sarver, owner of the Phoenix Suns. Sarver is also pointed out for creating a toxic work environment. So many accusations that the person denies en bloc.
“The allegations in the ESPN article are extremely serious, and we have called on the law firm Wachtell Lipton to launch a full investigation,” the NBA said. Once the investigation is completed, its findings will allow the League to take possible action. “
Reporting for SVP on what awaits Suns owner Robert Sarver with looming NBA probe pic.twitter.com/sZ6ltEfxzt
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 5, 2021
Three weeks ago, Sarver had reacted ahead of time, by lambasting “lies, innuendos and a false story.” In this investigation, which dates back to the arrival of the leader at the head of the franchise in 2004, the allegations are numerous and were made by more than 70 former and current employees of the Suns, the vast majority on condition of anonymity.
A former coach accuses
Earl Watson, who coached the team between 2015 and 2017, fired at the start of his third season, is one of the few to openly denounce Sarver’s behavior, claiming that Sarver used the racist word ” nigger ”(equivalent of“ nigga ”in French), one evening in 2016 after a match and that he repeatedly enjoined“ not to say that ”.
Sarver’s alleged racist language on other occasions is denounced many times in the article. Misogynistic behavior too. He would have circulated a photo of his wife in a bikini to club employees and would have spoken several times during meetings about their sexual intimacy.
A “false investigation” for Sarver
“The level of misogyny and racism is crossing the line,” one of the Suns’ current co-owners told ESPN.
Suns general manager James Jones and chairman Jason Rowley defended their owner, saying the story was “totally outrageous and false” and that Sarver “is neither racist nor sexist.”
Sarver reiterated Thursday “being shocked by the bogus investigation” of ESPN. “The word ‘nigger’ has never been in my vocabulary. I don’t use that word. He’s obnoxious, ugly, disparaging and contrary to everything I believe in. The way I lead my personal and professional life clearly shows this. “