{"id":1688,"date":"2022-09-15T10:57:46","date_gmt":"2022-09-15T10:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/lebron-james-chris-paul-call-for-stronger-punishment-of-robert-sarver\/"},"modified":"2022-09-15T10:57:47","modified_gmt":"2022-09-15T10:57:47","slug":"lebron-james-chris-paul-call-for-stronger-punishment-of-robert-sarver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/lebron-james-chris-paul-call-for-stronger-punishment-of-robert-sarver\/","title":{"rendered":"LeBron James & Chris Paul call for stronger punishment of Robert Sarver"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Sarver also owns La Liga football team Real Mallorca, which he bought in 2016 as part of a group that includes ex-NBA star Steve Nash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NBA stars LeBron James and Chris Paul say Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver should have been given a stronger punishment for his racist and sexist behaviour.<\/span><\/p>\n

“There is no place for misogyny, sexism, and racism in any workplace. We hold our league up as an example of our values and this ain’t it,” <\/span>wrote James on Twitter.<\/span>external-link<\/title><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The NBA interviewed 320 people and scrutinised 80,000 documents and videos after <\/span>an ESPN article in November 2021<\/span>external-link<\/title><\/svg><\/span><\/a> which alleged Sarver’s 18 years in charge of the team had been characterised by racist and sexist behaviour and bullying.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the NBA investigation made “no finding that Sarver’s conduct was motivated by racial or gender-based animus”, it did find evidence of “racially insensitive language, unequal treatment of female employees and sex-related statements and conduct”.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Our league definitely got this wrong. I don’t need to explain why. Y’all read the stories and decide for yourself,” added James, the Los Angeles Lakers forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I love this league and I deeply respect our leadership. But this isn’t right.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Twelve-time All-Star Paul, who has played for the Suns since 2020, <\/span>added his condemnation on social media.<\/span>external-link<\/title><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

“Like many others, I reviewed the report. I was and am horrified and disappointed by what I read,” he wrote. <\/span><\/p>\n

“This conduct especially towards women is unacceptable and must never be repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I am of the view that the sanctions fell short in truly addressing what we can all agree was atrocious behaviour. My heart goes out to all of the people that were affected.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Sarver’s punishment was less severe than that of Donald Sterling, who was banned from the NBA for life and forced to sell the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014 <\/span>after he was recorded making racist remarks.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The head of the players’ union called for a similar ban for Sarver.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I have made my position known to (NBA commissioner) Adam Silver regarding my thoughts on the extent of the punishment, and strongly believe that Mr Sarver should never hold a managerial position within our league again,” said National Basketball Players Association executive director Tamika Tremaglio.<\/span><\/p>\n

Silver said that Sarver’s behaviour, while unacceptable, did not meet the threshold for a life ban.<\/span><\/p>\n

“First of all, we’re looking at the totality of circumstances over an 18-year period in which he’s owned these teams,” said Silver. <\/span><\/p>\n

“And ultimately, we made a judgment, I made a judgment, that in the circumstances in which he had used that language and that behaviour while, as I said it was indefensible, it’s not strong enough (to merit a lifetime ban).<\/span><\/p>\n

“It’s beyond the pale in every possible way to use language and behave that way, but that it was wholly of a different kind than what we saw in that earlier case.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n