What did NBA commissioner Adam Silver say to Phoenix Suns employees about owner Robert Sarver?
While the league commissioner’s heart felt words will likely smooth over some wounds, the NBA has a long way to go in combatting racism and misogyny and he knows it.
Though for many, the apology will likely come too late, that the league’s commissioner offered his regrets over the controversy involving the Suns’ owner is telling of just how serious it all was.
NBA’s Adam Silver apologizes to Phoenix Suns employees
In an almost hour-long address, NBA commissioner Adam Silver apologized to Phoenix Suns employees on multiple occasions. Speaking ahead of the team’s season opener, Silver addressed the investigation into Robert Sarver - owner of the Suns - and the revelations that came as a result of it. To be clear, the Suns owner was investigated on the grounds of serious workplace misconduct and as things stand, has begun the process of selling the franchise after immense pressure to do so was expressed by players, execs and fans.
“I’m incredibly empathetic to what many of you have lived through,” Silver said to employees in the team’s arena on Wednesday night before the Suns went on to defeat the Dallas Mavericks. “Did I hear ever that Robert could be difficult to deal with? Sure. ...But that’s very different than conduct which is viewed as discriminatory in any way.” Interestingly, interim governor and minority owner Sam Garvin was also in attendance and he also apologized on behalf of the remaining ownership group.
What’s happened since Robert Sarver was investigated?
Following the completion of the investigation into the Suns owner last month, the NBA announced that it would be suspending Sarver for one-year and fining him $10 million. As per reports, the investigation revealed that on multiple occasions Sarver made use of the ‘N-word’ in addition to a number of inappropriate sexually vulgar jokes. It is also understood that he made several demeaning comments to a number of female employees. In the wake of those reports and the league’s subsequent decision, Sarver then announced that he would be selling his stake in the Suns - approximately one-third - which is valued at around $1.8 billion
Adam Silver admits the NBA dropped the ball on Robert Sarver
It’s worth mentioning, that Silver indicated that neither he nor the league were aware of any allegations related to Sarver until ESPN first published a story about it in 2021. With that said, the NBA’s commissioner admitted that it was not an excuse. “Obviously, it’s a failure of an overall system, of a league of 30 teams,” he said. Silver also went on to add that he believed the law firm responsible for the investigation, “did the best job that they could.” Curiously, when he was asked what the league could do in future to combat such problems, Silver conceded that he had no “deep answers,” before adding “To the extent that you feel let down by the league, I apologize,” Silver said. “I take responsibility for that.”