Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver made possessive, misogynistic comments to female subordinates — once asking 'do I own you?' — and frequently used the N-word, according to a bombshell report detailing allegations of racism and sexism from more than 70 current and former employees.
'The level of misogyny and racism is beyond the pale,' one Suns co-owner told ESPN about Sarver. 'It's embarrassing as an owner.'
'If the commissioner comes in and investigates to see what the f*** is going on in Phoenix,' a current employee told ESPN, '[he] would be appalled.'
Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver (pictured) made possessive, misogynistic comments to female subordinates — once asking 'do I own you?' — and frequently used the N-word, according to a bombshell report detailing allegations of racism and sexism from more than 70 current and former employees
The ESPN report had been anticipated since October 22, when podcaster Jordan Schultz teased its publication on Twitter. Sarver has denied or disputed nearly all of the claims, both before the article's publication, and in the article itself.
Sarver was accused by former Suns coach Earl Watson of using the N-word to complain in 2016 that Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green had used the term on the court.
'You can't say that,' said Watson, who is Hispanic and African American.
'Why?' Sarver asked. 'Draymond Green says [n-word].'
'You can't f****ing say that,' Watson repeated.
Sarver admits to using the n-word years earlier.
'On one occasion a player used the n-word to describe the importance of having each others' back,' Sarver told ESPN through his attorneys. 'I responded by saying, ''I wouldn't say n***a, I would say that we're in the foxhole together.''
'An assistant coach approached me a short time after and told me that I shouldn't say the word, even if I were quoting someone else. I immediately apologized and haven't said it ever again. The n-word has never been a part of my vocabulary.'
Sarver also disputed having that alleged conversation with Watson, who now works as a Toronto Raptors assistant coach after being fired in Phoenix in 2017.
'Let me be crystal clear: I never once suggested on that night (or ever) that I should be able to say the n-word because a player or a black person uses it,' Saver said through his attorneys.
At least six Suns employees accused Sarver of using the n-word while quoting African Americans.
'You're like, ''Whoa! Robert, you can't do that,'' said a former executive.
Another African-American basketball operations staffer said he's heard Sarver use the n-word several times.
In 2013, Sarver allegedly used the n-word to explain why he filled a head-coaching vacancy with Lindsey Hunter, who is black, over Dan Majerle, who is white.
'These [n-word] need a [n-word],' Sarver told the staffer.
Nearly a dozen of the former employees who spoke to ESPN, mostly on the condition of anonymity, say they've sought professional help for issues such as anxiety and sleep
