Chris Paul says NBA punishment against Suns owner Robert Sarver ‘fell short’

Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul responded to the NBA’s punishment of Suns owner Robert Sarver, saying the league “fell short” with it.

Paul, who was the former president of the National Basketball Players Association, joins the likes of LeBron James and others who have spoken out about Sarver and how the NBA is handing him a one-year suspension and a $10 million fine for making racist and misogynistic remarks.

“Like many, I reviewed the report,” Paul said via Twitter. “I was and am appalled and disappointed by what I read. This behavior, especially towards women, is unacceptable and must never be repeated.

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Chris Paul participates in a panel during the 2022 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on July 19, 2022 in National Harbor, Maryland.
(Brian Stukes/Getty Images)

“I feel that the sanctions fell short in terms of really addressing what we can all agree was atrocious behaviour. My heart goes out to all the people who were affected.”

An investigation was opened on Sarver in November 2021 following allegations of racism and misogyny. The NBA found that Sarver “engaged in conduct that clearly violated general workplace standards, as reflected in team and league rules and policies. This conduct included the use of racially insensitive language, unequal treatment of female employees, gender-related statements and conduct, and rough treatment of employees who at times amounted to bullying.”

It was also found that Sarver “repeated the N-word when recounting the statements of others” at least five times and made numerous “sex-related” and other inappropriate comments in the workplace.

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This is not the first time that Paul has dealt with a team owner who was found to have this behavior. Former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was forced to sell the team after being caught on tape making racist remarks. Paul was the locker room leader he is now with the Suns in 2014.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he has no jurisdiction to make Sarver sell the Suns or the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.

Chris Paul, #3 of the Phoenix Suns, handles the ball during the first half of game seven of the Western Conference second round NBA Playoffs at the Footprint Center on May 15, 2022 in Phoenix.
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The five-member committee working on the investigation said Sarver’s remarks were not motivated by “racial or gender-based animus.”

“I think if they had found that his behavior was actually motivated by racial animus, that would absolutely have had an impact on the final outcome here. But that’s not what they found,” Silver said via ESPN.

James was more cunning than Paul. Although not a member of the Suns, James’ comments carry the weight of being one of the most recognizable faces in basketball.

“Read through the Sarver stories a few times now,” he wrote on Twitter. “I’ll be honest…Our league was definitely wrong. I don’t have to explain why. You all read the stories and make up your own mind. I said it before and I’ll 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 that’s not right. There is no place for misogyny, sexism and racism in any workplace. It doesn’t matter if you own the team or play for the team. We hold our league up as a example of our values, and it is not.”

“Good leadership requires accountability,” Sarver said in his own statement. “For the Suns and Mercury organizations, it starts with me. While I disagree with some of the details of the NBA’s report, I want to apologize for my words and actions that offended our employees. I take full responsibility for what I have done . I am sorry for causing this pain, and these lapses in judgment are not consistent with my personal philosophy or my values.”

Chris Paul, #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during Game 7 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals on May 15, 2022 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
(Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

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The investigation prompted 320 witnesses to come forward regarding Sarver’s comments and actions, the league said.