A little over a week after the NBA announced a year-long suspension and $10 million fine for Robert Sarver, the Phoenix Suns owner has announced that he’s looking to sell the franchise.
The majority owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury is “seeking buyers” for the two franchises. The decision comes in the wake of immense backlash from Adam Silver’s slim punishment for years of Sarver’s extremely inappropriate conduct.
BREAKING: In a statement, Robert Sarver writes, in part:
"I am beginning the process of seeking buyers for the Suns and Mercury."https://t.co/fMhWdDIM5M
— Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) September 21, 2022
Sarver bought the Phoenix franchise in 2004 for $401 million. The franchise is now worth more than $1 billion. The organization has plenty of potential for that to continue as the team has finished with the best record in the West last season.
There were always concerns that Sarver's stubbornness and desire to paint himself as the victim would make him willing to continue as a pariah in the NBA community, but his decision to sell the Suns and Mercury bails out the league and his ownership peers. https://t.co/LD7o1OYhQ0
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 21, 2022
“I do not want to be a distraction to these two teams and the fine people who work so hard to bring the joy and excitement of basketball to fans around the world. I want what’s best for these two organizations, the players, the employees, the fans, the community, my fellow owners, the NBA and the WNBA. This is the best course of action for everyone,” Sarver wrote in the statement.
Prior to Sarver’s desicion, many NBA players, including LeBron James and Phoenix’s All-Star Chris Paul both tweeted their displeasure with just a suspension and hefty fine. Suns vice chairman Jahm Najafi called for Sarver to resign his position as team owner.
