LeBron James has the loudest and most important voice in the NBA and he used that voice on Wednesday to express his displeasure with the way the league handled the Robert Sarver situation.
Tuesday, the league announced the completion of an investigation into Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury owner Robert Sarver over allegations of racism and misogyny during his 17 years as owner. The league suspended him for one year and fined him $10 million, though it stopped short of forcing him to sell the franchise.
Many NBA fans and media members were confounded by the fact that the NBA found instances of “racially insensitive language” and “sex-related comments towards women” by Sarver, but also had “no finding” that Sarver’s workplace misconduct was motivated by race or gender.
On Wednesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver tried to explain the NBA’s stance on the allegations and investigation, but only seemed to dig a deeper hole for himself and the league.
fair to who, Adam?
(yes I know the answer) https://t.co/I4FrzYrtpU
— shalise manza young (@shalisemyoung) September 14, 2022
James, who has never been one to shy away from sharing his honest opinion, took the NBA and its leadership to task on Wednesday in a series of tweets.
“Read through the Sarver stories a few times now. I gotta be honest…Our league definitely got this wrong. I don’t need to explain why,” wrote the Los Angeles Lakers star. “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. 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.”
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.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 14, 2022
Say what you want about LeBron but publically admonishing Silver and NBA brass over the Sarver decision certainly sends a strong message. It’s not good business to have your biggest and most marketable star publically condemning you over a seemingly lax approach to dealing with racism, sexism, and misogyny in 2022.
The NBA world had some reactions of their own to James’s comments.
The loudest statement so far on Robert Sarver's suspension lasting only one year; "Our league definitely got this wrong," LeBron James says. https://t.co/GNdgM0mLSe
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 14, 2022
This will open the door for more players to weigh in. AK https://t.co/kC7N8xUXWh
— Kamenetzky Brothers (@KamBrothers) September 14, 2022
from what I've observed, Suns fans are largely disappointed with the NBA's response to the Robert Sarver investigation & it's been echoed that it's going to be "on the players" to move the needle… gotta wonder if any other players (read: Suns players) follow LeBron's lead here https://t.co/GYnyFKlCBU
— Lina Washington (@LWashingtonTV) September 14, 2022
LeBron James deserves a lot of credit for often being one of, if not the first NBA player to comment on serious issues, despite being the player whose words are put under a microscope most often. Sets the tone and makes it easier for other players to speak up. https://t.co/ZuZBvq7WYo
— Brady Klopfer (@BradyKlopferNBA) September 14, 2022
LeBron is right, obviously. Glad players are speaking up. https://t.co/aflTcgGYcF
— Craig Needles (@NeedlesOnNews) September 14, 2022
THE KING HAS SPOKEN https://t.co/NkYjwNO389
— Jonathan McCall (@JonathanMcCall) September 14, 2022
We’ll see if LeBron’s comments open the door for other players, including those on the Suns, to speak up as well. If enough players express their displeasure, you have to wonder it might lead to further problems for Sarver.
