Report: Lawyers set to interview Robert Sarver in NBA investigation into Suns
Investigators looking into the Phoenix Suns are preparing to interview team owner Robert Sarver after allegations were made against him and the organization last year, according to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes.
Over 300 employees have been interviewed so far by lawyers running the investigation, which is being put on by the NBA, and some have spoken to them multiple times, per the report.
With Sarver now up, the investigation is presumably nearing the end — though it’s unclear when the investigation will be completed. Lawyers, according to ESPN, say they are still in a “fact-finding” stage.
“The investigation is ongoing and the Wachtell Lipton law firm will report their findings to the league at its conclusion,” an NBA spokesperson told ESPN.
That law firm has also conducted investigations into the Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks.
Allegations against Suns owner Robert Sarver
The NBA launched its investigation into the Suns, the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and Sarver in November after a report detailed allegations of racism, misogyny and other workplace misconduct during Sarver’s time running the organization.
Sarver — who purchased the Suns in 2004 and the Mercury soon after — was accused of using the N-word, discussing sexually explicit activities or topics in the office, interfering in on-court affairs, going on verbal tirades and more. He once allegedly ordered his players to “take out” Vince Carter during a game.
Sarver’s wife, Penny, reportedly sent ex-Suns employees threatening or intimidating messages after the allegations were made publicly. A video surfaced late last year that showed Sarver making several inappropriate jokes at a posthumous “roast,” too.
The Suns have released all former employees from nondisclosure agreements in order to allow them to speak freely to investigators.
Sarver has denied all of the allegations against him, and actually did so in lengthy statements before the ESPN story was even released.
