LeBron James, Chris Paul and Suns vice-chairman Jahm Najafi advocated a bigger penalty after the league’s findings on Sarver’s racist and misogynistic behavior.
Sarver’s official statement regarding the NBA’s punishment and his decision to sell both teams didn’t sit well with most basketball analysts and fans. Chris Broussard, on “The Odd Couple” podcast, minced no words lambasting the businessman:
Broussard concluded:
Robert Sarver seemed to feel remorseful only after he was caught. After racist and misogynistic accusations first emerged in a report by ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, the businessman forcefully revolted against it. He attacked the integrity of the report and the “sources” who were out to smear his name.
The tone drastically changed when the NBA handed out the punishment based on its findings. Sarver’s suddenly docile disposition wasn’t about to hoodwink LeBron James and others who called out the league’s failure to impose bigger punishment.
Holmes, on ESPN, shared what one current Phoenix Suns staffer felt after Robert Sarver’s decision to sell the team went public:
Robert Sarver has been the majority owner of the Suns since 2004. After nearly two decades of his leadership, it remains to be seen who will take over the franchise.
LeBron James helped open the floodgates that led to Robert Sarver’s decision to sell the Phoenix Suns
LeBron James quickly tweeted his disapproval of what the NBA handed out as punishment for Robert Sarver after the completion of its investigation:
Chris Paul and Draymond Green then followed, calling out the NBA for its slap-on-the-wrist punishment despite the seriousness of the offense.
Many were expecting several more superstars to boycott games once the one-year suspension was over.
When PayPal, one of the Phoenix Suns’ major sponsors, backed James’ stance, it felt like Sarver’s time with the franchise was all but over.
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