Robert Sarver, the owner of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, said he would begin the process of selling the basketball teams after a damning report detailing nearly two decades of workplace harassment and inappropriate behavior by an executive.
He said in a statement that he can't separate his personal controversy from the NBA and WNBA teams.
The things I have said in the past are more important than the things I've done. He wrote that he was starting the process of finding buyers for the Suns and Mercury.
The Forbes values the Suns at over $1 billion.
An independent investigation found that the owner used racist language, made sex-related comments to and about women, and mistreated employees, which led to his suspension by the NBA. He was fined 10 million dollars by the league.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said last week that the statements and conduct described in the report are troubling. We believe the outcome is the right one, taking into account all the facts, circumstances and context brought to light by the investigation.
The NBA didn't reply to a request for comment on Wednesday.
DonaldSterling was banned for life from the NBA and fined $2.5 million for making racist comments when he owned the LA Clippers. After 33 years of ownership, he was forced to sell the team to Steve Ballmer. The suit was settled in the summer of 2016
The full statement is here.
Words that I deeply regret now overshadow nearly two decades of building organizations that brought people together and strengthened the Phoenix area through professional men's and women's basketball.
The path to forgiveness is something I believe in. I expected that the commissioner's one-year suspension would give me time to focus, make apologies, and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love.
In our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that whatever good I have done, or could still do, is not enough. The Suns and Mercury are for sale.
I don't want to distract the two teams and the people who work so hard to bring joy and excitement to fans around the world. This is the best way to go.
I will continue to work on becoming a better person and supporting the community. Thank you for your continued support of the Suns and Mercury, because sports bring us together.
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