Under Growing Scrutiny, Sarver Moves To Sell NBA Phoenix Suns, WNBA Mercury

By Barry Janoff

UPDATED February 6, 2023: The NBA said tonight that its Board of Governors has approved the sale of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury to an ownership group led by Mat Ishbia, chairman, president and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage.

The NBA said the transaction is expected to close this week.

According to AP Sports, the vote was 29-0, with the Cleveland Cavaliers abstaining.

AP Sports said Ishbia agreed on Dec. 20 to the deal, one that put the total value of the Suns and Mercury at $4 billion.

Ishbia and his brother Justin said then that they would be acquiring more than 50% of the franchises, which includes the entirety of the controlling stake of those franchises from Robert Sarvesr as well as some holdings from minority partners.

September 21, 2022: Robert Sarver, who last week was suspended from his role as managing partner of the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury for a year and fined $10 million following an investigation by the NBA that he abused workplace standards, said today he has begun the process to sell both teams.

"As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness," Sarver said via the teams.

"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."

Sarver has been Suns and Mercury majority owner since 2004.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said via the league, “I fully support the decision by Robert Sarver to sell the Phoenix Suns and Mercury. This is the right next step for the organization and community.”

After the NBA revealed its suspension and fine for Sarver, numerous factions became vocal over what they saw was a lack of severity in the punishment.

Players who spoke out included Chris Paul, who is entering his third season with the Suns, and is also past president for the NBA Players Assn.; LeBron James and Draymond Green.

Jahm Najafi, Suns minority owner and the team's second-largest stakeholder, called for Sarver’s resignation.

The WNBA Players Association contacted WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Silver requesting a meeting to express its dissatisfaction with the punishment.

PayPal, the Suns' jersey patch sponsor, said it would not renew its alliance with the team when it expired after the 2022-23 season if Sarver remained owner.

These and other moves apparently made it clear to Sarver that he had to part ways with the teams.

"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," Sarver said. ”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."

The NBA’s fine and suspension followed a months-long independent investigation that found, according to the NBA, Sarver “engaged in conduct that clearly violated common workplace standards, as reflected in team and league rules and policies."

According to the league, “This conduct included the use of racially insensitive language; unequal treatment of female employees; sex-related statements and conduct; and harsh treatment of employees that on occasion constituted bullying.”

At the time, Silver said “the statements and conduct described in the findings of the independent investigation are troubling and disappointing” but that the league did not “have the right to take away his team.”

The investigation was launched by the NBA after the publication of an ESPN.com article on Nov 4, 2021 regarding statements and the conduct of Sarver and issues relating to the teams’ workplace,

The NBA commissioned an independent investigation by the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.

The NBA said it would donate the $10 million fine to “organizations that are committed to addressing race and gender-based issues in and outside the workplace.”

The Suns/Mercury organization must still fulfill a series of requirements for workplace improvements set forth and monitored by the NBA.

NBA Suspends Suns Sarver, Fined $10M For Racial, Sexual Misconduct

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