LeBron James and Chris Paul criticize the punishment of Robert Sarver
LeBron James and Chris Paul were among the many athletes in the sports community who criticized the decision handed down to Robert Sarver.
Here is everything you need to know.
LeBron James and Chris Paul react to Robert Sarver’s decision
The NBA has punished Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver for his alleged racist and sexist behavior by fining and suspending him. However, the decision doesn’t sit well with some of the league’s biggest stars.
LeBron James took to his Twitter account to call out the league for not banning Sarver for his inappropriate misconduct.
He wrote: ‘I have to be honest. Our league definitely got this wrong. I don’t need to explain why. You read the stories and decide for yourselves. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there’s no place in this league for that kind of behavior.
Like many others, I reviewed the report. I was and am horrified and disappointed by what I read. This behavior, especially towards women, is unacceptable and must never be repeated.
— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 15, 2022
The Los Angeles Lakers forward continued: “I love this league and I deeply respect our leadership. But this is not right. There is no place for misogyny, sexism and racism in any workplace.”
The 37-year-old basketball player noted, “It doesn’t matter if you own the team or play for the team.” We hold our league up as an example of our values and that’s not all.’
Additionally, Suns star point guard Chris Paul also shared his displeasure with the light penalties imposed on Sarver.
He said: ‘I was and am horrified and disappointed by what I read. This behavior, especially towards women, is unacceptable and should never be repeated.”
The former president of the NBA Players Association added: “I am of the opinion that the sanctions failed to really address what we can all agree was egregious behavior.”
Read Sarver’s stories a few times now. I have to be honest… Our league definitely messed up. I don’t need to explain why. You read the stories and decide for yourselves. I’ve said it before and I’m going to say it again, there’s no place in this league for that kind of
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 14, 2022
More about Robert Sarver’s research
An independent investigation into Robert Sarver was conducted after it was reported that he engaged in hostile, racially insensitive and inappropriate behavior towards his subordinates.
ESPN published an article in November 2021 detailing Sarver’s attitude. They wrote that Sarver had “on at least five occasions during his tenure with the Suns/Mercury organization, he repeated the N-word when counting the statements of others.”
In addition, they stated that he ‘participated in cases of unfair conduct towards female employees’. He made many comments related to sex in the workplace and made inappropriate comments about the physical appearance of female employees and other women. On several occasions he engaged in inappropriate physical conduct towards male employees.’
Meanwhile, the NBA announced Tuesday that Sarver would be fined $10 million and face a one-year suspension for his misconduct.
