Earlier this year, controversial Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury team owner Robert Sarver was suspended for one year and fined $10 million by the NBA after the league found instances of “racially insensitive language” and “sex-related comments towards women.” The controversy caused quite a bit of backlash from NBA stars like LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Draymond Green and key sponsors have threatened to terminate their deals with the Suns if he remained the team’s owner. They finally got their wish as Sarver moved towards selling the team, and it looks like there a buyer has emerged.
According to NBA league insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, billionaire Mat Ishbia is finalizing a deal to become the new owner of both the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury, replacing Robert Sarver.
The WNBA Mercury are also part of the purchase, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 20, 2022
“BREAKING: Billionaire mortgage lender Mat Ishbia is finalizing a purchase of the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. The deal, expected to be completed in the near future, would end the tumultuous tenure of owner Robert Sarver,” Wojnarowski said in a Tweet. “The WNBA Mercury are also part of the purchase, sources tell ESPN.”
When the sale is ultimately finalized, it will officially end quite a controversial ownership stint of Robert Sarver.
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