Phoenix Suns reject owner Robert Sarver is racist, sexist ahead of possible ESPN report

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Phoenix Suns deny owner Robert Sarver is racist, sexist ahead of possible ESPN report

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Owner Robert Sarver stands with the Western Conference Championship prize after the Suns beat the LA Clippers to win the series in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center on June 30, 2021 in Los Angeles,California The Suns beat the Clippers to advance to the NBA Finals.

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The Phoenix Suns on Friday rejected claims of bigotry, sexism and harassment versus owner Robert Sarver, ahead of the release of a “proposed story” from ESPN.

“This story is completely outrageous and false,” Suns CEO and President Jason Rowley stated in a declaration launched by the group. “It doesn’t represent – at all – the Robert Sarver I’ve worked alongside of for 15 years. He’s not a racist and he’s not a sexist.”

The declaration follows NBA podcast host Jordan Schultz said in a tweet that a report will be launched with claims versus Sarver that might “forcibly” eliminate him.

Sarver stated in a declaration Friday that he was “wholly shocked” by the ESPN claims and emphatically rejected them.

“While I can’t begin to know how to respond to some of the vague suggestions made by mostly anonymous voices, I can certainly tell you that some of the claims I find completely repugnant to my nature and to the character of the Suns/Mercury workplace and I can tell you they never, ever happened,” Sarver stated.

He included that he dislikes any language that “disrespects individuals, regardless of race, gender, preference, or choice.”

The Suns likewise stated in a declaration that the possible ESPN story makes “completely baseless claims,” keeping in mind the group has proof and eyewitness accounts that oppose the allegations versus Sarver.

“We urge everyone not to rush to judgment here,” the Suns stated in the declaration. “Especially based on lies, innuendo, and a false narrative to attack our organization and its leadership.”

Rowley knocked the unnamed ESPN press reporter of the proposed story, declaring that they revealed a “reckless disregard for the truth.”

“He has harassed employees, former employees, and family members; used truths, half-truths and rumors to manufacture a story in which he’s heavily invested and then perpetuate a completely false narrative within the sports industry to back it up,” Rowley stated in a declaration.

Sarver acquired the Suns from previous owner Jerry Colangelo in 2004 for a record $401 million at the time.

Sarver has actually dealt with criticism for his level of participation in the group’s choices.

In 2018, ESPN reported that Sarver “has earned a long-standing reputation for aggressively involving himself in basketball decisions.”

ESPN included that Suns coaches “became accustomed to regular beratings and demands of strategy and lineup changes” from Sarver.

He was most just recently slammed for not using center Deandre Ayton a max five-year novice extension agreement throughout the NBA’s offseason. Ayton will end up being a limited totally free representative after this season as an outcome.