Suns, Mercury Gov. Robert Sarver Suspended for 1 Year, Fined $10M After NBA Probe

The NBA suspended the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury for one year after an investigation into their workplace culture.

A $10 million fine was imposed by the league.

According to the NBA's findings, Sarver engaged in inequitable conduct toward female employees, made many sex- related comments in the workplace, made inappropriate comments about the physical appearance of female employees and other women, and on several occasions engaged in inappropriate physical conduct towards male.

He yelled and cursed at employees and engaged in degrading and harsh treatment of them.

In October of last year, the Suns issued a statement about the franchise. Some of the claims I find repugnant to my nature and to the character of the Suns/Mercury workplace and I can tell you they never happened.

Phoenix Suns @Suns

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The investigation arrived on the 4th of November. More than 70 current and former team employees described a toxic and sometimes hostile workplace in the piece.

According to some people, he has used racist language in the office many times. Employees recounted conduct they felt was inappropriate and misogynistic, including that of Sarver, who once passed around a picture of his wife in a bikini to employees and spoke about times his wife had sex with him. One woman was asked if she worked for the Suns because the owner asked if he owned her.

According to the article, there was an exchange between the head coach of the Suns and the general manager of the team. The Warriors star Draymond Green could say the N-word without being reprimanded, and that's what Sarver said after the game.

"These [N-words] need a [N-word] to explain why I chose Lindsey Hunter over Dan Majerle," he is said to have said to a staffer.

Sarver said in a statement that the allegations were not true.

Marc Stein @TheSteinLine

The NBA is expected to soon launch an investigation into the allegations reported today by ESPN’s @baxter Holmes against Suns majority owner Robert Sarver … and Sarver just issued a statement in response that closes by essentially acknowledging an investigation is forthcoming: pic.twitter.com/xJswSUl3vR

He didn't want to engage in an ongoing battle of fact.

There were allegations that didn't implicate him directly but raised questions about his stewardship of the Suns.

A female employee said she was attacked by a male co-worker. The human resources department only responded to the assault by moving the desk away from the co-worker.

One woman said the toxic atmosphere in the office made her consider suicide, while another said it ruined her life.

Employees were afraid of being retaliated against if they spoke with HR. The last place you go is HR.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the league was bringing in a law firm to investigate the allegations.

After Robert's wife,Penny, reached out to at least three former Suns employees, Robert's name was brought up as an attempt to intimidate them.

If something happens to one of my children, I will hold you and EarlWatson personally responsible. Think about your own child for a moment.

She said that she did send the messages, but that she didn't mean to intimidate anyone.

How would the NBA react?

The LA Clippers governor was banned from the league for life after he made racist comments. Bruce Levenson sold his stake in the Hawks after making racist comments in an email.

The Suns were purchased by a group of people.

According to Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post, the league would likely be happy if the Suns were to be sold. He disagreed with the report.

The team reached the NBA finals in the following year.