Rev. Al Sharpton calls for NBA to end Phoenix Suns investigation, remove owner Robert Sarver

Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton on Saturday called for the NBA to close its investigation into the Phoenix Suns and remove majority owner Robert Sarver — or soon provide a clear timetable for a resolution. If not, Sharpton said, he might bring demonstrations to Phoenix.

«The owner of the Suns was revealed in the ESPN story last November — how Sarver, the principal owner of the Phoenix Suns, made all these racist and misogynist statements. And [the NBA] said they were going to investigate it,» Sharpton said at the New York City headquarters for the National Action Network, a civil rights organization that he founded in 1991. «Well, how long does it take for an investigation when you have videos and people that come forward?

»I put the call in [Friday] to the NBA that we want them to close the investigation and remove [Sarver] or tell us the timetable by the convention."

The National Action Network is slated to hold its annual convention April 6-9 in New York City.

«We are not going to allow people to affect the culture of the NFL or the NBA and insult us and act like that's acceptable behavior,» Sharpton said. «They think, because it was November, everybody forgets about it, and that's why we wanted to put that pressure on. So we are, on the Phoenix Suns.»

NBA spokesman Mike Bass told ESPN on Saturday said the investigation, which is being handled by the Wachtell Lipton law firm, is «ongoing and will take the time necessary to complete a thorough and comprehensive review of the matter.»

Bass said any potential action by the NBA wouldn't happen until after the investigation is completed.

The NBA began its investigation into the Suns and Sarver in early November 2021, hours after ESPN published its story — based on