NBA
Former Suns' employees released from NDAs for NBA investigation
As the league's probe moves forward, one can only wonder what this latest development will yield.
Following the launch of an NBA investigation into the workplace conduct of the franchise, it would seem things are getting more serious
Former Sun's employees released from NDAs
According to several former Phoenix Suns' employees, those who had previously signed nondisclosure agreements have begun to schedule and participate in interviews with the lawyers who are spearheading the NBA's probe into the team. Over the past week, the aforementioned lawyers informed the former employees that they would be released from the agreements in order to speak freely for the investigation. It is understood that those who signed NDAs will not be fully released going forward, but simply for the purpose of participating in the league's investigation into the Suns' work place conduct. Interestingly some of the individuals who signed NDAs have already met with the lawyers, while others are scheduled to participate in interviews in the coming days.
Why is the NBA investigating the Suns?
It was early November when the news was first reported that the NBA had launched its investigation after contracting the law firm Wachtell Lipton. The announcement followed an ESPN report which included allegations of racism and misogyny in a work place that was out rightly considered hostile and toxic under owner Robert Sarver's 17 year spell at the helm.
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Where is the investigation now?
As reported, the lawyers leading the investigation held meetings with a number of current employees this week at an off-site location. It is understood that some of those interviews lasted more than an hour. Indeed, some of the employees - both current and former - disclosed that they had prepared and maintained extensive notes about allegations, dates of incidents and names of other witnesses to specific accounts. There were some individuals who even provided lists of and contact information for other employees who were not present, believing that they would be able to corroborate specific allegations.
Where confidentiality and anonymity are concerned, lawyers have stated that it will be will be granted to those who request it. As for the information collected itself, it is understood that lawyers have primarily focused their attention on demographic information, along with the actual cases of racist or misogynistic behavior allegedly demonstrated by Sarver.