PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 15: Head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the first half of Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Footprint Center on May 15, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams said during media day that he is “disgusted” by the discoveries in the Robert Sarver investigation.
Earlier this month, the NBA announced that Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver would be suspended for the year and receive a $10 million fine following an investigation into allegations of racist and misogynistic behavior. The investigation pointed out examples of Sarver’s behavior since he was owner of the team, with one of them being him using the N-word on five different occasions.
The Suns hosted their media day on Monday, and Sarver’s scandal was a topic of conversation. Head coach Monty Williams said that he was “disgusted” by Sarver’s use of the N-word.
You can listen to Williams’ comments below, courtesy of Arizona Sports.
Monty Williams ‘disgusted’ by Robert Sarver’s use of the N-word
“That word, I don’t like it, never have. Especially when I was younger and I learned what that word meant. I learned how demeaning it was toward humanity, not just black folks,” Williams said, h/t Brian Windhorst of ESPN. “And when I saw the report, I was not happy about it, quite frankly, disgusted. It’s not a word you repeat anytime. And when you read the report, you read the bullet points and you see it over and over again in that way, it bothers you.”
The independent investigation determined that Sarver had “repeated the N-word when recounting the statement of others.”
Other key findings that were highlighted following the investigation include:
- “Engaging in instances of inequitable conduct toward female employees, made many sex-related comments in the workplace, made inappropriate comments about the physical appearance of female employees and other women, and on several occasions engaged in inappropriate physical conduct toward male employees.”
- “Engaging in demeaning and harsh treatment of employees, including by yelling and cursing at them.”
After punishment was revealed by the NBA, Suns minority owner Jahm Najafi released a statement asking Sarver to resign as owner. Additionally, PayPal said that they would not renew their partnership with the Suns after this season if Sarver remained in his position.
Saver announced on Sept. 21 that he is seeking to sell both the Suns and the WNBA’s Mercury.