The report, based on interviews with more than 70 former and current Suns employees, alleges Sarver has made numerous racist and sexist remarks during the 17 years he has owned the franchise -- comments that apparently have cast a pall over the team. He also owns the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA.
"There's literally nothing you could tell me about him from a misogynistic or race standpoint that would surprise me," a former Suns basketball executive told ESPN.
In response to the report, the NBA announced it was opening its own investigation.
"The allegations contained in today's ESPN article are extremely serious, and we have directed the Wachtell Lipton law firm to commence a comprehensive investigation," said NBA executive vice president of communications Mike Bass in a statement. "The NBA and WNBA remain committed to providing a respectful and inclusive workplace for all employees. Once the investigation is completed, its findings will provide the basis for any league action."
Suns and Mercury president and CEO Jason Rowley provided a strongly-worded rebuttal to the report in a statement on Twitter, saying the team welcomes the NBA's investigation.
"Today's story contains false information and narratives perpetuated by a reporter who has struggled unsuccessfully to match the facts to a story he decided he wanted to tell a year ago," Rowley said in his statement.
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