Suns owner Robert Sarver under fire; former Kings broadcaster Grant Napear tweets reaction
There is mounting pressure on Robert Sarver as NBA players, fans and sponsors react to league sanctions levied against him following a 10-month investigation into his conduct as owner of the Phoenix Suns over the past 18 years.
The NBA suspended Sarver for one year and fined him $10 million — but allowed him to retain ownership — after the investigation found he repeatedly used racist and sexist language during his tenure with the Suns. Everyone from former Sacramento Kings play-by-play announcer Grant Napear to Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Suns point guard Chris Paul have reacted to the sanctions, but the strongest response came from Suns vice chairman Jahm Najafi.
Najafi penned an “open letter” to Suns players and employees Thursday, calling on Sarver to resign due to his “lewd, misogynistic, and racist conduct.” Najafi’s letter followed public statements from James and Paul, who denounced Sarver’s behavior and asserted the league isn’t doing enough to punish him.
“Due to the NBA’s investigations and findings, I have no choice but to speak up on behalf of the hundreds of you that have been impacted by your interactions with Robert Sarver and the resulting investigation of his conduct,” Najafi wrote. “I first and foremost want to give my deepest thanks to all of you who garnered the courage to share your experiences, as difficult as it may have been, to help piece together a clearer picture of what work life must have been like for you over these past 18 years.
“… I cannot in good judgment sit back and allow our children and future generations of fans to think that this behavior is tolerated because of wealth and privilege. Therefore, in accordance with my commitment to help eradicate any form of racism, sexism and bias, as Vice Chairman of the Phoenix Suns, I am calling for the resignation of Robert Sarver.”
PayPal CEO and president Dan Schulman issued a statement Friday saying his company will no longer sponsor the Suns if Sarver isn’t removed.
“PayPal is a values-driven company and has a strong record of combating racism, sexism and all forms of discrimination,” Schulman said. “We have reviewed the report of the NBA league’s independent investigation into Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver and have found his conduct unacceptable and in conflict with our values. PayPal’s sponsorship with the Suns is set to expire at the end of the current season. In light of the findings of the NBA’s investigation, we will not renew our sponsorship should Robert Sarver remain involved with the Suns organization, after serving his suspension.”
James, a four-time NBA champion and MVP, took to social media to say the league wasn’t acting strongly enough against Sarver.
“Read through the Sarver stories a few times now,” James tweeted. “I gotta be honest…Our league definitely got this wrong. I don’t need to explain why. Y’all read the stories and decide for yourself. I said it before and I’m gonna say it again, there is no place in this league for that kind of behavior. I love this league and I deeply respect our leadership. But this isn’t right. There is no place for misogyny, sexism, and racism in any work place. Don’t matter if you own the team or play for the team. We hold our league up as an example of our values and this ain’t it.”
Paul, who spent eight years as president of the National Basketball Players Association, is entering his third season with the Suns. Paul shares the view of James and others who believe the NBA isn’t doing enough to sanction Sarver.
“Like many others, I reviewed the report,” Paul tweeted. “I was and am horrified and disappointed by what I read. This conduct especially towards women is unacceptable and must never be repeated. I am of the view that the sanctions fell short in truly addressing what we can all agree was atrocious behavior. My heart goes out to all of the people that were affected.”
In a tweet, Napear alluded to his own downfall in Sacramento after the NBA announced the findings of its investigation into Sarver’s behavior. Napear was a polarizing figure in Sacramento, where he spent 32 years in television and radio, popular among some players and fans but disliked by others.
Napear was accused of being racially insensitive after former Kings center DeMarcus Cousins asked for his opinion on the Black Lives Matter movement following George Floyd protests in 2020. Napear replied: “ALL LIVES MATTER … EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!”
Former Kings players Chris Webber and Matt Barnes joined Cousins in casting aspersions on Napear, with Barnes calling Napear a “closet racist.” Napear paid a heavy price for the social media firestorm. He resigned from his job with Kings TV and was fired by Bonneville International Corporation, the parent company of Sactown Sports 1140.
When the NBA announced Sarver’s suspension, Napear tweeted: “Thanks (sic) goodness he didn’t say ‘All lives matter! Every single one!!!’ Probably would have been a lifetime ban!”
This story was originally published September 16, 2022 at 10:21 AM.
