Steph Curry Says He Had Private Talks With NBA Commish Adam Silver Over League’s Discipline Of Robert Sarver
Golden State Warriors point guard and 2021-22 NBA Finals MVP, Stephen Curry, announced that he had a private conversation with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver regarding the league’s decision to impose a one-year suspension on Phoenix Suns Owner Robert Sarver. When speaking to media on Sunday, Curry stated that he believed the Sarver situation would have “dragged out a little longer” but is happy that Sarver came to the decision to sell both the Suns and Phoenix Mercury franchises.
“I think the outcome was exactly what should have happened. Honestly, I thought with the punishment that was handed down, it would have dragged out a little longer, but I’m glad we got to a point where hopefully the team is up for sale sooner rather than later and can kind of move on knowing that’s where it should be.”
The league’s independent investigation into the Suns found that Sarver used the N-word at least five times “when recounting the statements of others” during his tenure with both the Suns and Mercury franchises. The NBA also reportedly found instances of “inequitable conduct towards female employees,” including inappropriate comments regarding the appearances of employees and “sex-related comments.” Sarver was also issued a $10 million fine. Multiple high profile athletes and public figures played a role in pressuring Sarver to begin the process of selling the teams, including minority owner Jahm Najafi and Suns sponsorship partner PayPal.
While Najafi questioned how anyone can expect a functional society “with integrity and respect” if sports leaders are not held to the same standard as other corporate leaders, PayPal threatened to not renew its sponsorship with the Suns if Sarver continued in his role as majority owner after his one-year suspension was over. Silver spoke to media in defense of the league’s disciplinary action against Sarver despite saying that he was in “disbelief to a certain extent” and “disheartened” over what the investigation had uncovered about Sarver’s conduct in the Suns organization.
“I want to again apologize to the former, and in some cases current, employees of the Phoenix Suns for what they had to experience,” Silver said. “There is absolutely no excuse for it. And we addressed it.”
“Let me reiterate: The conduct is indefensible,” Silver continued on to say. “But I feel we dealt with it in a fair manner, both taking into account the totality of the circumstances, not just those particular allegations but the 18 years in which Mr. Sarver has owned the Suns and the Mercury.”
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