In a string of social media tweets on Wednesday, LeBron James expressed his displeasure with the NBA’s punishment of Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, writing that “our league absolutely got this wrong.”
The NBA announced on Tuesday the results of a 10-month independent investigation into claims of workplace abuse during Sarver’s nearly 20-year career as managing partner of the Suns. As a result, the NBA suspended Sarver for one year and fined him $10 million.
Chris Paul, a point guard for the Suns who also held the office of president of the National Basketball Players Association for two terms, shared James’ views in a letter to the NBA, writing, “I am of the view that the sanctions fell short in truly addressing what we can all agree was atrocious behavior.”
Sarver was found to have used the N-word at least five times while reading the words of others, according to a long list of accusations that were first made public by ESPN in November and backed up by the Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz investigation.
Earlier Wednesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed concerns he has fielded from the league’s player base, which is over 75% Black.
Following the league’s board of governors meeting, Silver remarked at a news conference in New York, “I’ve talked to several players.
“Those were private discussions. I’ll let the athletes express their feelings in their own words.”
Because, according to Silver, “I think for those players to see that we continue to deal with these issues,” his talks with players have been “disheartening,” he stated.
Sarver’s reported acts and conduct, according to NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio, “are awful and have no place in our sport or any workplace for that matter,” she said in a statement later on Wednesday.
“I made my view known to Adam Silver regarding my thoughts on the nature of the punishment, and strongly feel that Mr. Sarver should never take a managerial position inside our league again,” Tremaglio continued.
James’ remarks reaffirm his position from 2014, when the league was looking into allegations of racial impropriety made by Donald Sterling, the owner of the LA Clippers at the time.
“Donald Sterling has no place in the NBA. No room is available for him “James said prior to a Miami Heat vs. Charlotte playoff matchup. “… They have to make a stand. They must approach it with great aggression. We cannot have it in our league, regardless of what it will be.”
This fall, as his NBA career enters its 20th season, James has dedicated the latter half of his time to serving as a vocal proponent of social change.
When notified of Sarver’s offenses, Silver said he was personally “in shock,” but many of the players and coaches in the league he contacted to indicated the issue was all too familiar.
“Look, it should go without saying that in this league, almost 80% of the players are Black. Our coaches, more than half of whom are Black, “said Silver. I’ll admit that, while going about their daily lives, I doubt any of them are as shocked as I am. I don’t imagine they’re reading this and exclaiming, “Oh my god, I can’t believe this happens.”
