New Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia officially closed his deal to buy the team on Tuesday.
Before the day was over he already had his first controversy.
Chris Haynes of TNT reported on Tuesday night that Ishbia “intends to bring on Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas to have a prominent role in the front office.”
Phoenix Suns new owner Mat Ishbia intends to bring on Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas to have a prominent role in the front office, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 8, 2023
NBA observers pounced on the news, pointing out Thomas‘ past history. While serving as president of basketball operations for the New York Knicks, a former female executive for the team claimed in a 2006 lawsuit that Thomas had sexually harassed her. The Knicks parent company settled the case for $11.5 million.
Former Suns owner Robert Sarver, of course, had been suspended for one year and fined $10 million by the NBA after an investigation found him involved in instances of “racially insensitive language” and “sex-related comments towards women.”
“This is like hiring Deshaun Watson to be your head of HR, what are the Suns doing?” tweeted Steven Cann.
This is like hiring Deshaun Watson to be your head of HR, what are the Suns doing?
— Steven Cann (@StevenRhysCann) February 8, 2023
As the NBA world flooded Twitter with puzzled and angry tweets about the Suns reportedly bringing Thomas aboard, the Arizona Republic reported that “Isiah Thomas won’t have a position in the team’s front office and isn’t part of the team transition. Ishbia and Thomas are friends.”
A spokesperson for new #Suns team owner Mat Ishbia told The Republic Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas won't have a position in the team's front office and isn't part of the team transition.
Ishbia and Thomas are friends.
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 8, 2023
NBA observers questioned whether the Suns’ attempt to immediately refute the report had been influenced by the negative feedback on social media.
Ishbia saw the Twitter reaction and said "nah"
— Justin B. (@BringTheHeatAZ) February 8, 2023
Is this before or after the Haynes report?
— lighten up bub (@NotOnAccident) February 8, 2023
Lmao y’all made him change his decision asap
— DNasty (@DNastyFrom602) February 8, 2023
WE DID IT!!
— Ashtro☆ (@Ashtrro) February 8, 2023
Suns fans after hearing that Isiah Thomas won't have a position in the team's front office pic.twitter.com/PaW2aoio5u
— Michael Ball (@Michael44004861) February 8, 2023
