Sarver ESPN story

[lilfishi22]

Obviously I didn't know what the findings would be but short of having something on camera or recording leaked to the public that leads to a public outcry (like the Sterling situation), it was hard to believe there was going to be enough to force an NBA owner to sell. I mean, Sterling had a horrible reputation already but it took something leaked to the public and stained the NBA image for the NBA to actually do something drastic.

Not to say it couldn't still end with Sarver selling (and making a pretty penny) but I think it would need more than this outcome and this penalty to get it done.

[TeamTragic]

Obviously I didn't know what the findings would be but short of having something on camera or recording leaked to the public that leads to a public outcry (like the Sterling situation), it was hard to believe there was going to be enough to force an NBA owner to sell. I mean, Sterling had a horrible reputation already but it took something leaked to the public and stained the NBA image for the NBA to actually do something drastic.

Not to say it couldn't still end with Sarver selling (and making a pretty penny) but I think it would need more than this outcome and this penalty to get it done.

You are assuming employees don't have recordings/etc. I'm sure they do but the NDA legality issue likely turned into attorneys on both sides making threats. Nearly a hundred thousand documents and only a single year ban + 10M fine.

[lilfishi22]

Friends, let's just take a seat and relax

I know defending Sarver is blasphemous around these parts but whether you agree with the findings and the penalty or not, it is what it is and there's little point in spending more time, effort or mental space in tar and feathering or defending Sarver any further.

I try to look at it with an optimistic lens and hope you agree

1. He *should* be less involved than any time in his near 2 decades as a Suns owner

2. His year-long suspension (assuming it starts now) should mean he'll be mostly hands off deep into the next offseason which is critical as there'll be big time decisions on where we head.

3. At the very least, there will be changes for the better within the organisation.

4. This is also likely the closest we've been to Sarver selling.

5. Again, whether you agree or not to the findings and punishment, this dark cloud is at least over and everyone can go back to focusing on what we do without that distraction.

[lilfishi22]

Obviously I didn't know what the findings would be but short of having something on camera or recording leaked to the public that leads to a public outcry (like the Sterling situation), it was hard to believe there was going to be enough to force an NBA owner to sell. I mean, Sterling had a horrible reputation already but it took something leaked to the public and stained the NBA image for the NBA to actually do something drastic.

Not to say it couldn't still end with Sarver selling (and making a pretty penny) but I think it would need more than this outcome and this penalty to get it done.

You are assuming employees don't have recordings/etc. I'm sure they do but the NDA legality issue likely turned into attorneys on both sides making threats. Nearly a hundred thousand documents and only a single year ban and 10M fine.

Oh I'm not saying they don't exist. Clearly the investigation reviewed a pretty significant number of artefacts (texts, emails, security footage? etc) to come to the conclusion they did. And I'm not saying Saver = Sterling in terms of who they are as people, what they've done, their history or anything like that, the point of difference I tried to convey was that the one that got the boot was the one who had their dirty laundry leaked to the public in its original form, not through hearsay or testimony.

If there was something leaked to the public like a video clip or an audio recording that is bad enough to stain the image of the NBA, I think there would likely be a tougher penalty. I don't really know what to think of the punishment, whether it's just or not enough...but I don't think it would be enough for some unless he was forced out. Maybe that should* be the fair punishment but it's not reality and like with any decision, it's not going to please 100% of people.

[sunskerr]

I'll just say I hope he comes out of counseling a better person, and that racism/sexism aren't defined by intent or visceral animosity but rather impact. In other words, just because you think you aren't racist or sexist doesn't mean you're not. And if you're really intent on defending somebody like that, well, wonder what that means about the type of person you really are. lmao. Maybe get counseling like Sarver will be.

[wco81]

So who gets to make what decisions until he is out? Trades, contracts, etc?

Good question and it will go through the first 2+ months of free agency next year. I assume the rest of the ownership will have ultimate say (or I'm sure they could call Sarver for approval)....but I think Jones can largely operate with autonomy.

Maybe some players will steer clear of the Suns because of this investigation and penalty.

People aren't going to know about it as much because him uttering racial epithets isn't on tape that media outlets can play over and over.

Suns players and Monte Williams, as well as James Johnson, may face questioning about having to work for Sarver but I guess they all said they never witnessed him using the N-word or saying sexist things.

[TeamTragic]

Obviously I didn't know what the findings would be but short of having something on camera or recording leaked to the public that leads to a public outcry (like the Sterling situation), it was hard to believe there was going to be enough to force an NBA owner to sell. I mean, Sterling had a horrible reputation already but it took something leaked to the public and stained the NBA image for the NBA to actually do something drastic.

Not to say it couldn't still end with Sarver selling (and making a pretty penny) but I think it would need more than this outcome and this penalty to get it done.

You are assuming employees don't have recordings/etc. I'm sure they do but the NDA legality issue likely turned into attorneys on both sides making threats. Nearly a hundred thousand documents and only a single year ban and 10M fine.

Oh I'm not saying they don't exist. Clearly the investigation reviewed a pretty significant number of artefacts (texts, emails, security footage? etc) to come to the conclusion they did. And I'm not saying Saver = Sterling in terms of who they are as people, what they've done, their history or anything like that, the point of difference I tried to convey was that the one that got the boot was the one who had their dirty laundry leaked to the public in its original form, not through hearsay or testimony.

If there was something leaked to the public like a video clip or an audio recording that is bad enough to stain the image of the NBA, I think there would likely be a tougher penalty. I don't really know what to think of the punishment, whether it's just or not enough...but I don't think it would be enough for some unless he was forced out. Maybe that should* be the fair punishment but it's not reality and like with any decision, it's not going to please 100% of people.

Definitely. However they likely chance that an employee that has videos/etc releases that on social media just will not happen. I want to read the NDA terms because clearly they are designed to pretty much ruin you financially if you even hint about what happened in ANY interaction with Sarver.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[Frank Lee]

Jeez y’all… it’s not like the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. Crazy some think he should be forced to sell his business because of politically incorrect and rube like behavior. He didn’t hurt anybody. And what he did doesn’t sound too heinous or malicious. Just being a rich turd boss. Well, he did go from goat pranking to a depantsing… at least he has a sense of humor…

Keep moving folks, nothing more to see here

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[Ghost of Kleine]

Suns Legacy partners statement:

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[Ghost of Kleine]

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Breaking news!!!.............

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[NE1Care]

I am not a fan of Sarver as a person or owner. I am puzzled that the findings were:

"The release noted that the investigation "made no finding that Mr. Sarver's workplace misconduct was motivated by racial or gender-based animus."

If the investigation made no findings of ill intent and motivation, what is the basis of the punishment.

I am not worried about Sarver, I do not care about him. Everyone is entitles to a safe work environment. Professional sports are intense. The crazy plane rides after winning and the low plane rides after losing. I am just curious if any owner in professional sports had a year long investigation of all current and past staff, that something similar would not be found.

[lilfishi22]

Again whether you agree with the penalty or not, at the very least we're seeing change and accountability.

Even if you don't think it's enough, we're moving towards a better working environment and Sarver will be accountable to ensuring this going forward.

[lilfishi22]

I am not a fan of Sarver as a person or owner. I am puzzled that the findings were:

"The release noted that the investigation "made no finding that Mr. Sarver's workplace misconduct was motivated by racial or gender-based animus."

If the investigation made no findings of ill intent and motivation, what is the basis of the punishment.

I am not worried about Sarver, I do not care about him. Everyone is entitles to a safe work environment. Professional sports are intense. The crazy plane rides after winning and the low plane rides after losing. I am just curious if any owner in professional sports had a year long investigation of all current and past staff, that something similar would not be found.

Negligence.

You could have a work environment that's run like a boys club where there may not be ill intent but you can't just look the other way and let things slide without some disciplinary recourse. Everyone, Sarver in particular, is responsible in ensuring the work environment is free of that type of BS as you would expect from a professional work environment, even if there is no ill intent.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[lilfishi22]

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This is what I expect an ousting to look like. I didn't think the NBA would have enough evidence to force him out but internally is a different matter

[Ghost of Kleine]

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This is what I expect an ousting to look like. I didn't think the NBA would have enough evidence to force him out but internally is a different matter

Agreed!!

[bwgood77]

So who gets to make what decisions until he is out? Trades, contracts, etc?

Good question and it will go through the first 2+ months of free agency next year. I assume the rest of the ownership will have ultimate say (or I'm sure they could call Sarver for approval)....but I think Jones can largely operate with autonomy.

Maybe some players will steer clear of the Suns because of this investigation and penalty.

People aren't going to know about it as much because him uttering racial epithets isn't on tape that media outlets can play over and over.

Suns players and Monte Williams, as well as James Johnson, may face questioning about having to work for Sarver but I guess they all said they never witnessed him using the N-word or saying sexist things.

Maybe some will but ultimately I think players like to play for Monty and under Jones who create a great atmosphere around the players.

But the Suns won't likely have meaningful cap space any time soon. Maybe they will have some next summer if they dump Shamet and cut Paul and the cap jumps. That would at least be before Booker's super max kicks in.