- Title: LeBron on Sarver punishment: 'league definitely got this wrong'
- Date: 15th September 2022
- Summary: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES (FILE - FEBRUARY 15, 2020) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** JAMES TAKING A SHOT DURING PRACTICE AHEAD OF THE ALL-STAR GAME BAGNOLET, FRANCE (FILE - AUGUST 31, 2018) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF JAMES COACHING BASKETBALL TO CHILDREN DURING CLINIC LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE - JULY 12, 2021) (REUTERS) JAMES ON THE RED CARPET AT PREMIERE FOR MOVIE 'SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY'
- Embargoed: 29th September 2022 10:51
- Keywords: Basketball Chris Paul LeBron James NBA Phoenix Suns Robert Sarver
- Location: VARIOUS
- City: VARIOUS
- Country: USA
- Topics: Basketball,Sport,United States
- Reuters ID: LVA004552215092022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James criticized the NBA on Wednesday (September 14) and said the punishment given to Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver for using racial slurs and treating female employees inequitably was not harsh enough.
Sarver, who bought the Suns and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury in 2004, was suspended by the NBA for one year and fined $10 million on Tuesday (September 13) after an independent investigation into allegations over workplace misconduct. Read full story
James, a four-time NBA champion and the face of the league, said he read through details of the Sarver story a few times and feels the league should have no tolerance for such behavior regardless of the offender's status.
"Our league definitely got this wrong. I don't need to explain why. Y'all read the stories and decide for yourself," James wrote on Twitter. "I said it before and I'm gonna say it again, there is no place in this league for that kind of behavior.
"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."
Chris Paul, a 12-time All-Star who joined the Suns in 2020 said: "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.
"I am of the view that the sanctions fell short in truly addressing what we can all agree was atrocious behaviour. My heart goes out to all of the people that were affected."
Sarver released a statement after the punishment was handed down and said he disagreed with some of the particulars of the NBA report but wanted to apologize for his words and actions that offended employees.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, speaking to reporters after the league's Board of Governors meetings concluded on Wednesday, indicated that Sarver's punishment could have been stiffer had investigators not determined that his use of slurs was not motivated by racial or gender-based animus.
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