BREAKING: Robert Sarver cites cancel culture, begins process of selling Phoenix Suns and Mercury
Sep 21, 2022 - 4:51 PMIt’s happening, Suns fans.
Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver announces that he has started the process to sell both franchises, reports Shams Charania.
Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver announces that he has started the process to sell both franchises.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 21, 2022
Shortly after the report from Shams came a statement that was shared by ESPN’s Baxter Holmes that stated the following:
“Robert Sarver, managing partner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, today issued the following statement.
Words that I deeply regret now overshadow nearly two decades of building organizations that brought people together – and strengthened the Phoenix area – through the unifying power of professional men’s and women’s basketball.
As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness. I expected that the commissioner’s one-year suspension would provide the time for me to focus, make amends and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love.
But in our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that that is no longer possible – that whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past. For those reasons, I am beginning the process of seeking buyers for the Suns and Mercury.
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.
In the meantime, I will continue to work on becoming a better person, and continuing to support the community in meaningful ways. Thank you for continuing to root for the Suns and the Mercury, embracing the power that sports has to bring us together.”
The snowball effect of backlash from team sponsors, minority owners, the city of Phoenix, prominent NBA players, and many more led to this.
Sarver is to serve a year-long suspension and holds a fine of $10 million for his actions.
We will fill you in on the details to follow with any reports of which groups emerge as potential suitors to purchase the team as they come.
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
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