Video: Robert Sarver’s memorial roast of former Suns owner includes explicit jokes

A video of Phoenix Suns managing partner Robert Sarver posthumously roasting fellow team owner Dick Heckmann was published by Sports Illustrated on Tuesday (Warning: Explicit language included).

It comes less than a week after the NBA opened an investigation into the team’s and owner’s workplace environment.

Much of Sarver’s portion of the roast of Heckmann is sexual in nature. The roast took place in April of this year, according to TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott, who previously published a portion of the video.

The Suns have not responded to a request for comment on the video as of late Wednesday morning.

The publication of the video comes after ESPN’s lengthy report on Sarver’s alleged transgressions, including racist and misogynistic behavior. The piece by reporter Baxter Holmes had allegations involving others in the franchise that painted the picture of a toxic workplace environment, especially for women and minorities.

Sarver has denied all of the allegations of sexism and racism.

The nearly 10-minute long clip given to SI, which is full of explicit language, includes Sarver saying that upon buying the Suns in June 2004, one of his biggest concerns were that the “Heckmann boys were (explicite) their way through the cheerleading team.”

Sarver also breaks off his routine to razz an attendee who was on the phone.

“You merging on a SPAC or you lining up a hooker over there? What are you doing?” he says in between expletives. “I’m gonna guess his receptionist has small (expletive). But he has no idea, he’s just drinking his wine.”

Heckmann’s wife, Wendy, told Sports Illustrated that she was not offended by Sarver’s time at the microphone during the roast. She said Sarver has never said anything “derogatory or anything with any kind of racial flair or any kind of sexist flair or anything — he’s never done that in my presence.”

At one point, Sarver speaks to Heckmann’s family at the roast.

“Look at how good you guys all turned out,” he said. “It’s a (expletive) miracle, really. Compared to where you guys started 17 years ago, it’s unbelievable. I mean, we’re lucky we still own the franchise. In today’s environment, we’d have lost it a long time ago.”

Heckmann died on Oct. 31, 2020, months before his roast was held.

A current Suns employee who watched the video expressed to SI concerns over the video.

“I would characterize [the video] as being inappropriate, outrageous, and consistent with Robert Sarver’s pattern of behavior over the years,” the person told SI. Distributing the video within the Suns organization, the person added, delivered a clear message: “That this behavior is not unacceptable for others to follow.”

The NBA told SI it was aware of the video. It has hired the Wachtell Lipton law firm to conduct the investigation into Sarver and the team.

Regarding the initial ESPN report, 12 Suns minority owners have announced support for Sarver in statements released through the team. Sarver and those minority owners have said they look forward to the NBA investigation into the allegations.

One owner, Jahm Najafi, released his own statement through his company that said he hoped for full accountability.

ESPN reported on Tuesday that Penny Sarver, Robert Sarver’s wife, contacted former employees of the team following the release of the original report.

In the messages to three different former employees, Penny Sarver accuses the employees of lying in the report, messages that she confirmed to Holmes were sent by her.

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