Adam Silver apologizes to Suns employees for Sarver’s conduct, per report

NBA commissioner Adam Silver apologized multiple times to Phoenix Suns employees before the team’s season-opener on Wednesday for owner Robert Sarver’s conduct leading to his suspension, according to ESPN reporter Baxter Holmes.

Suns minority owner Sam Garvin also apologized at the meeting for the organization.

Silver addressed the group for nearly an hour, reportedly saying he had heard Sarver could be difficult to deal with, but discriminatory behavior was a different situation.

The commissioner said he took responsibility for the employees getting let down by the league. One employee was frustrated by the Suns releasing statements defending Sarver, according to Holmes.

Sarver is serving a one-year suspension and was fined $10 million after a 10-month NBA investigation. His behavior over the years was found to include inequitable conduct toward female employees, inappropriate comments on employees’ appearances and use of the N-word.

Silver said the fact that the league received no reported misconduct before the investigation was a failure on the NBA’s part to provide oversight, according to Holmes.

The commissioner reportedly said that the NBA will implement new reporting systems and regular meetings with the heads of human resources for teams across the league.

Still, while acknowledging that he didn’t have any “deep answers,” Silver said it was important “just to really listen to people.”

Sarver is looking to sell the Suns and Phoenix Mercury.

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