Little by little details about the episode that has shaken Robert Sarver, owner of the Phoenix Suns and owner ofl Real Mallorca, accused of “sexist, racist and stalker” in a report that could force the American tycoon to leave the league as happened in 2014 with Donald Sterling, owner of the Clippers Los Angeles, suspended for life by the NBA for racist comments.
The analyst Jordan Schultz He was in charge of dropping the bomb last week through the networks, according to Diario de Mallorca. In a tweet, the journalist recounted “that the NBA is preparing a great story accusing the businessman of racism, sexism and sexual harassment.” In the same Schultz He stated that “there is enough evidence to back up these claims” and that “there is a real possibility” that Sarver will be forced to leave his post at the head of the Suns “by force.”
They are not the only statements that Schultz has made. The journalist was interviewed by a radio de Arizona in which he assured that “the report prepared by the NBA is monstrous.” “What they told me about some of the things that are going to come out, including sexual harassment, is amazing. In my opinion there is no way that with all these registered people, both male and female, Sarver can survive this. “
50 interviews
Apparently, the American channel specializing in sports ESPN, whom Sarver accuses of having no evidence, plans to publish a story with more than fifty people interviewed about the case in the next few days.
“What I have been told is that a culture of ‘sweeping under the rug’ has been fostered at the club so that nothing comes to light, something that Sarver himself would have encouraged,” he noted. Among the people interviewed in the report would be the former coach of the Phoenix Suns, Earl Watson, and the former general manager of the club, Ryan McDonough.
The American businessman, owner of the Real Mallorca Since January 2016, he entered the world of the NBA in 2004. The tycoon of Arizona bought the Suns for a then record $ 401 million. Currently the franchise is valued at about 1,550 million. His time in the American league has not been without bizarre episodes.
The Phoenix SunsAfter knowing the news, they soon published a statement: “We understand that a medium is publishing a story against the Suns. The documentary evidence in our possession and the eyewitness accounts directly contradict the reporter’s allegations and we are preparing our response. We urge everyone not to be too quick to judge something based on lies, innuendo and a false narrative to attack our organization and our leadership. “
Before the press conference prior to the game against Sevilla, the communication manager of Real Mallorca, Albert Salas, announced that the club “refers to the statement made by the Suns” in that regard.
A nosy owner
Related news
The owner of the Suns has a reputation for meddling in decision-making and leading the American franchise down illogical paths. In recent days, without going any further, the fans of the Arizona team have not understood Sarver’s decision not to extend the contract of one of the team’s franchise players.
Deandre Ayton landed with the Suns during the 2018 draft pick. The Bahamas center, after a great performance in Phoenix, he expected to receive an extension of his contract for the maximum salary allowed, that is, five years and approximately $ 173 million. However, Sarver did not want to give him that amount of money, something that did not sit well with the fans of the franchise that last season surprised by getting into the NBA final against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Reference-www.elperiodico.com