Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver fined $10M after investigation into hostile work environment

By David Close, CNN

Updated 1820 GMT (0220 HKT) September 13, 2022

The NBA has fined Phoenix Suns and Mercury managing partner Robert Sarver $10 million and suspended him for a year.

(CNN)The NBA has fined Phoenix Suns and Mercury managing partner Robert Sarver $10 million and suspended him for a year after an independent investigation found he engaged in hostile, racially insensitive and inappropriate behavior.

The report, commissioned by the NBA last fall, found Sarver had «engaged in conduct that clearly violated common 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; sex-related statements and conduct; and harsh treatment of employees that on occasion constituted bullying.»The NBA released the report, conducted by a New York law firm, on Tuesday. The investigation came after an ESPN.com report about Sarver's behavior.Part of the findings found Sarver had «on at least five occasions during his tenure with the Suns/Mercury organization, repeated the N-word when recounting the statements of others.» He also «engaged in instances of inequitable conduct toward female employees, made many sex-related comments in the workplace, made inappropriate comments about the physical appearance of female employees and other women, and on several occasions engaged in inappropriate physical conduct toward male employees.»Sarver, who has been the Suns' and Mercury's majority owner since 2004, cannot have any involvement with the team during the yearlong suspension and must complete a workplace training program. The $10 million fine is the maximum allowed as determined by the NBA by-laws.Read MoreAccording to the