LeBron James and Chris Paul reacted to the NBA’s punishment of Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver with James claiming “the league definitely got this wrong.”
LeBron James via NBA YouTube
The NBA suspended Sarver from both the Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury for an entire year, fined him $10 million, and are requiring he “complete a training program focused on respect and appropriate conduct in the workplace.”
The punishment was doled out following an independent investigation by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and led by the firm’s partners David Anders and Sarah Eddy. Their investigation covered an 18-year period and determined that Sarver “repeated the N-word when recounting the statements of others” on at least five occasions.
Robert Sarver via TYT Sports YouTube
It also found that he “engaged in instances of inequitable conduct toward female employees, made many sex-related comments in the workplace, made inappropriate comments about the physical appearance of female employees and other women, and on several occasions engaged in inappropriate physical conduct toward male employees.”
Finally, it also reported that he “engaged in demeaning and harsh treatment of employees, including by yelling and cursing at them.”
Robert Sarver via ABC15 Arizona YouTube
The Los Angeles Lakers forward reacted to the findings and the punishment via Twitter writing, “Read through the Sarver stories a few times now. I gotta be honest…Our league definitely got this wrong.”
He continued, “I don’t need to explain why. Y’all read the stories and decide for yourself. I said it before and I’m gonna say it again, there is no place in this league for that kind of behavior.”
LeBron James Twitter
James then asserted, “I love this league and I deeply respect our leadership. But this isn’t right. There is no place for misogyny, sexism, and racism in any work place.”
“Don’t matter if you own the team or play for the team. We hold our league up as an example of our values and this aint it,” he concluded.
LeBron James Twitter
Chris Paul, who plays for the Suns, also shared his thoughts on Twitter.
He wrote, “Like many others, I reviewed the report. I was and am horrified and disappointed by what I read. This conduct especially towards women is unacceptable and must never be repeated.”
Chris Paul Twitter
“I am of the view that the sanctions fell short in truly addressing what we can all agree was atrocious behavior. My heart goes out to all of the people that were affected,” he asserted.
Chris Paul Twitter
What do you make of James and Paul’s reactions?