NBA team owner fined £8.65m and banned over racism, sex-related conduct and bullying
READ MORE: Buffalo Bills receiver Isaiah McKenzie does baby gender reveal live during NFL opener The NBA found that Sarver had used the N-word at least five times after "recounting the statements of others".
The report also concluded that the 60-year-old, worth up to £700m ($800m), "engaged in instances of inequitable conduct toward female employees, made 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.”Law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz handled the investigation and the NBA said that there were interviews with 320 people, including current and former employees of the Phoenix Suns and Sarver.
More than 80,000 documents, including emails, texts and videos, were looked into.NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement: “The statements and conduct described in the findings of the independent investigation are troubling and disappointing.“We believe the outcome is the right one, taking into account all the facts, circumstances and context brought to light by the comprehensive investigation of this 18-year period and our commitment to upholding proper standards in NBA workplaces.“I am hopeful that the NBA community will use this opportunity to reflect on what this great game means to people everywhere and the values of equality, respect and inclusion that it strives to represent.“Regardless of position, power or intent, we all need to recognise the corrosive and hurtful impact of racially insensitive and demeaning language and behaviour.
