New coalition puts heat on NBA to take stern action in Robert Sarver investigation

The NBA's investigation of Phoenix Suns majority owner Robert Sarver that began in November 2021 remains ongoing.

For the American Sports Accountability Project, it's gone on long enough.

A new formed coalition launched its website Thursday, posting a letter it sent to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver dated March 11, 2022 calilng for swift and major action against Sarver for alleged acts of racism and misogyny that created a toxic work environment detailed in an ESPN report back in November. Sarver strongly denied the allegations and said he welcomed the NBA's investigation.

“As individual advocates and representatives of organizations seeking to advance racial and social justice throughout the United States, we are profoundly disturbed by the reports of racism, misogyny and abusive behavior allegedly committed by Phoenix Suns majority owner, Robert Sarver,” the letter starts.

The website displays a huge #SackSarver hashtag in orange letters, the Suns main team color. The Republic has reached out to the Suns for comment.

The group, in its letter, cited previous league responses in similar cases.

“There is a zero tolerance for such behavior in today’s society and we expect the NBA and its leadership hold Mr. Sarver accountable for these despicable actions, as was done in the case of Robert Sterling,” the letter continued.

The league banned former Clippers team owner Donald Sterling for life from the NBA and fined him $2.5 million following an investigation into alleged racist comments he made over the phone to his ex-girlfriend, V. Stiviano.

“Mr. Sarver has a notorious and extensive record of abusive, racist and misogynistic behavior spanning nearly two decades,” the letter continued. “His victims include players, coaches, front office staff, team executives, players’ family members, and many others. The accounts that have recently come to light are grotesque, with numerous instances of Mr. Sarver, a white man, freely using the N-word to refer to his players and coaches. He is also alleged to use sexually explicit, misogynistic language in the workplace, including about the female body.”

Sarver became the Suns majority owner in 2004 when leading the purchase of the team for $404 million.

According to Forbes, the Suns were worth $1.8 billion as of October 2021.

Sports Illustrated first reported the ASAP website launch and letter sent to the NBA and copied to the league’s Board of Governors, of which Sarver is a member as a team owner.

The SI report expresses the coalition's concerns that with the NBA playoffs starting next month and the Suns having a historic season, the investigation will further linger and action not be taken.

The Suns (56-14) have the NBA's best record and are one of the favorites to win it all after losing to the Bucks in last year's finals.

“From what we understand, Mr. Sarver’s history has been well known amongst the NBA’s Board of Governors for many years, and yet it was not until these reports were made public that the league initiated an investigation into the matter,” the letter continued.

The NBA confirmed to The Republic it received the letter.

“We take the allegations contained in ESPN’s report very seriously and directed the Wachtell Lipton law firm to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter,” said NBA spokesperson Mike Bass in a statement to SI. “That investigation is ongoing and once completed, its findings will provide the basis for any action the NBA may take.”

Last month, Silver said the investigation was ongoing and didn’t provide any updates when asked about it during NBA All-Star weekend in Cleveland.

ESPN reported this month Sarver was set to be interviewed as part of the investigation.

Here’s a list of the ASAP letter’s signatories, with four being members of civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network.

Rev. Dr. W Franklyn Richardson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Conference of National Black Churches; Chairman of National Action Network.

Melanie Campbell, President/CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation & Convener, Black Women’s Roundtable.

Rev. Jonathan E.D. Moseley, Sr., Western Regional Director, National Action Network.

Rev. Dr. Johnnie Green, President & CEO, Mobilizing Preachers and Communities.

Jennifer Jones Austin, Vice Chair Board member, National Action Network; Chair, NYC Racial Justice Commission.

Hector Sanchez Barba, Executive Director & CEO, Mi Familia Vota.

David Hernandez, State Director, League of United Latin American Citizens of Arizona.

Rep. Dave Rodriguez, Arizona State House (ret.).

Rev. Dr. Steffie Bartley, Northeast Regional Director, National Action Network.

Erica Ford, CEO, LIFE Camp, Inc. and activist around Women’s issues.

“Let us be clear: we believe Mr. Sarver’s victims,” the letter states. “This is not a matter of a single allegation or one person’s word against another. This is a pattern rife with examples of men, women, people of color, and staff suffering abuses at the hands of Robert Sarver."

Back in November, the Rev. Jarrett Maupin Jr., of Phoenix, held a press conference outside Footprint Center calling for a meeting between Sarver and Sharpton to discuss the situation and actions to take moving forward.

“I have spoken to Rev. Sharpton and am sure he will confirm his willingness to help here,” Maupin said in a news release dated Nov. 4. “The local community respects his ability to get to the root of this problem and we are asking him to lead this effort. We also know that a national level change must occur in the NBA around ownership and civil rights and equity. Rev. Sharpton will deliver on that and will not allow NBA leaders to dodge this matter any longer.”

Maupin told The Republic on Thursday the meeting never took place between Sarver and Sharpton.

The ASAP letter also has the feel of a petition as the website is asking for people to sign to the letter to “show your support for holding Mr. Sarver accountable.”

The coalition describes its mission as follows:

"The American Sports Accountability Project (ASAP) is a group of individual advocates, community-based organizations, civil rights leaders, and sports fans who are committed to bringing accountability to perpetrators of hate speech, abuse, and harassment within the leadership of the American sports industry. There is zero tolerance for abuse of any kind in today’s society. ASAP demands action in response to misconduct and a future where our arenas, fields and stadiums can be free from racism, sexism, and bigotry."

MORE: Read the ASAP coalition's full letter to NBA commissioner

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: New coalition puts heat on NBA to take action in Sarver investigation