Robert Sarver, the owner of N.B.A. and W.N.B.A. teams in Phoenix, said he planned to sell both teams after an investigation found that he had mistreated employees for years. Sarver owns the N.B.A.’s Suns and the W.N.B.A.’s Mercury.
An independent investigation found that Sarver said “the N-word at least five times” and berated a female employee in front of others then commented that women cry too much. The report also said he had demeaned and bullied employees for years.
The N.B.A. fined him $10 million and suspended him for one year, but several prominent players, one of the teams’ minority owners and a major sponsor have called for a harsher punishment. Tamika Tremaglio, the executive director of the N.B.A. players’ union, said Sarver should be barred for life.
This is breaking news, and the article will be updated.