Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver suspended, fined $10 million after investigation finds conduct 'clearly violated' workplace standards

Robert Sarver, owner of the NBA's Phoenix Suns and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, has been suspended one year and fined $10 million by the NBA as a result of an investigation into the Suns franchise.

The NBA announced the punishment Tuesday, saying the investigation found that during his time with the Suns and Mercury, Sarver used the N-word at least five times «when recounting the statements of others.»

There also were «instances of inequitable conduct toward female employees,» the NBA said in its statement, including «sex-related comments» and inappropriate comments on employees' appearances.

The NBA commissioned an investigation after ESPN published a story in November 2021 detailing allegations of racism and misogyny during Sarver's 17 years as owner.

While the NBA stated that Sarver «cooperated fully with the investigative process,» league sources told ESPN's Baxter Holmes and Adrian Wojnarowski that he was unaccepting of the idea that he deserved a one-year suspension and a $10 million fine for his behavior. The punitive part of the process became largely acrimonious, sources said.

Nov. 4, 2021: ESPN releases its story on Suns owner Robert Sarver and the workplace culture in Phoenix

Nov. 4, 2021: NBA launches investigation into Sarver over racism, sexism charges

Nov. 9, 2021: Penny Sarver, wife of Robert Sarver, sent messages to three former Suns employees

Nov. 15, 2021: Investigators say team employees will be granted confidentiality

Nov. 30, 2021: Uncertainty remains over whether Suns employees who signed NDAs can participate in investigation

Dec. 10, 2021: Suns employees released from NDAs for investigation

Jan. 25, 2022: Suns to create confidential internal employee hotline amid investigation

March 4, 2022: Sarver