The situation around Robert Sarver, the suspended Phoenix Suns owner, might be getting worse and more heated.
Sarver was suspended from the league for one year and fined $10 million after an investigation found that he made multiple racist and sexist comments to his staff for years.
That judgment might seem extreme to some but it pales in comparison to what many anticipated.
And the backlash against the NBA’s ruling is only growing.
Here is what could happen in regards to the Suns ownership. There is very likely language in the partnership agreement that would allow for the removal of the principal owner for cause. IF the minority owners determine that Robert Sarver violated his fiduciary duties and acted
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) September 13, 2022
What happens now?
John Gambadoro has pointed out that there is a way for the minority owners of the team to push Sarver out of his position forever.
If the other owners determine that Sarver “violated his fiduciary duties and acted unethically and immorally”, they could remove him from his ownership role.
Will this happen?
Sarver & The Suns
The report released by the NBA is quite damning.
It highlights multiple offensive acts and comments that Sarver made even after he was warned not to.
The league said that this didn’t come from a place of animus but rather Sarver’s sophomoric sense of humor.
The fact that Sarver said he was joking is apparently what saved his job.
This isn’t good enough for some.
The airwaves and blogosphere are now filled with people demanding more from the NBA.
Many are waiting to see how NBA players, including those on the Suns, will respond.
If Chris Paul and his crew decide to speak out against Sarver and call on the league to do more, there is a good chance it could happen.
But is it the responsibility of the players to force the league?
The NBA thought this incident was over but this could only be the beginning.
NEXT: NBA Insider Ponders An Important Robert Sarver Question