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LeBron James believes the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury managing partner Robert Sarver should face more severe penalties than a one-year suspension and a $10 million fine.
The Los Angeles Lakers star said “our league must be wrong,” adding “I’ve said it before, I’m going to Again, this kind of behavior has no place in the league. I love this league and I have great respect for our leadership. But it’s not right. Misogyny, sexism and racism are not allowed in any workplace.” LeBron James@KingJames
Behavior. I love this league and I have great respect for our leadership. But this is not right. Misogyny, sexism and racism are not tolerated in any workplace. Whether you own a team or play for a team. We take the alliance as an example of our values, that’s not it.
The NBA announced Tuesday’s punishment for Sarver after an investigation determined that Sarver “engaged in conduct that clearly violated common workplace standards”:
NBA Newsletter@NBAPR
The NBA issued the following statement today: pic.twitter.com/jjlBK771PT
Sarver first came under scrutiny in November 2021, when ESPN’s Baxter Holmes Reported on multiple allegations of racism and misogyny by Sarver during his time with the Suns.
NBA launches independent investigation in response, law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz interviewed 320 people and reviewed more than 80,000 The findings were released in a 43-page report on Tuesday after a document.
Notable Yes, the investigation determined that Sarver “said the N-word while repeating or purporting to repeat a black man at least five times during his tenure, including after being advised not to do so” and “made numerous sexual-related comments in the workplace.”
What’s more, the investigation found he “made inappropriate comments about the appearance of female employees and other women” and “often made inappropriate comments about the appearance of female employees and other women” Demeaning and harsh treatment of employees – including yelling and cursing at them.”
Given that Sarver was with the Suns The stance and the nature of the findings, it’s easy to think of the NBA’s 2014 response to former Los Angeles Clippers governor Donald Sterling after hearing him make racist remarks on tape. This happened early in Adam Silver’s tenure as commissioner and he responded By banning Sarver from the league and fining him $2.5 million, the move won a lot of praise at the time. Allowed to keep the Suns after this suspension, and James — considering he’s on the court Accomplishments and his willingness to speak out on non-basketball issues, he’s one of the most famous voices in NBA history — we’re among those who disagree with punishment. Silver held a press conference on Wednesday and told reporters that Sarver’s situation was “different” Commissioner said Sterling was guilty of “blatantly racist conduct against a particular group of people” and Sarver’s comments In the press conference, Silver also said that “there is something special about why the team’s staff May be fired for these actions but Sarver can still keep the team, the rights here are the people who own an NBA team and not the employees.
Yet James seems to think that there is no room for Sarver in the NBA for Sarver to return to his former role.
