In this off-season, an investigation found Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver guilty of workplace misconduct. His behavior included using the n-word multiple times, performing “unfair behavior” towards female employees, exchanging inappropriate comments, and yelling and swearing at female employees. The NBA responded by suspending Sarver for the entire season and fined him $10 million.
As part of the suspension, Sarver cannot participate in any activities around Suns or Mercury. Now, less than a month after being suspended, Sarver is looking to sell both teams.
One potential buyer? Former Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Jerod Harris / Getty Images for Vox Media
Sam Amiko from Hoops Wire subscriber That Iger showed interest in buying the team about a year ago. At the time, Sarver was almost immediately quick to drop that idea, saying he had “no interest” in selling the team. Of course, that was before an investigation into Sarver’s behavior was opened.
Iger, a close friend of Chris Paul (and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver), will likely need some financial help to buy the Suns and Mercury. Iger’s fortune is only about $350 million; Recent NBA sales have estimated the franchises at more than $2 billion.
This is part of Sarver’s statement announcing the sale of the team:
“As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness. I had expected the commissioner’s one-year suspension to give me time to focus, make up and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and many of my fans love.”
“But in our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that this is no longer possible – anything good that I have done, or can still do, is outweighed by the things I have said in the past. For these reasons, I am beginning the process of finding buyers for the Sauns. and Mercury”.
There are only two years left to The Suns’ appearance in the NBA Finals, although there has been a bumpy road since then. The team fell to the Western Conference semi-finals last year, losing 33 points at home to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 7. This off-season included a contract dispute with Deandre Ayton, who told reporters he had not spoken to coach Monty Williams since. Game 7. Suns striker Jay Crowder also requested a deal. Mercury was also removed for two years from the WBNA Finals debut, and while the internal turmoil isn’t that bad, it was a disappointing 2021-22 season.
As Amico notes, Disney owns ESPN, which disclosed Sarver’s case. If Iger did end up buying the teams, it would be kind of a wild moment full circle.
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