There should be "zero tolerance'' for lewd, misogynistic and racist conduct in any workplace, according to an open letter released by the Phoenix Suns vice chairman and minority owner.
The NBA banned Sarver from the league for one year and fined him $10 million for his role in an investigation into allegations of workplace abuse during his time as managing partner of the Suns.
One of the three vice chairmen for the Suns is a man who has been critical of Sarver since the allegations were first reported.
"Any CEO, executive director, president, teacher, coach, or any other position of leadership that engages in similar conduct would need to be terminated immediately," the letter stated. Robert Sarver doesn't have a license to treat other people differently than any other leader. The NBA teams belong to the communities they serve, and the fact that anyone would find him fit to lead because of this is forgetting.
Team investors aren't permanent stewards. How can a society with integrity and respect be expected if sports leaders are not held to the same standards? The same positive workplace environment we would require of any other business is what we owe it to you.
According to the investigation conducted by the law firm Wachtell, the N-word was used at least five times by the man. Sex-related comments and inappropriate comments on employees' appearances were uncovered in the investigation.
While he doesn't want to become the managing partner of the Suns, he will work hard to make sure the next steward treats all stakeholders with dignity, professionalism and respect.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Suns point guard Chris Paul also voiced disappointment with the NBA's punishment of Sarver, with Paul writing in a tweets, "I am of the opinion that the sanctions fell short in truly addressing what we can all agree was atrocious behavior."
On the same day Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego and some of the city's council members released a statement saying they were "appalled by the actions'' in the report, Najafi's letter was released.
The organization's leadership should not be associated with the despicable actions detailed in the report. We are concerned about a culture that would allow these actions to occur time and again.
The AP contributed.
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