On Thursday night, Phoenix Suns vice chairman and minority owner Jahm Najafi called for majority owner Robert Sarver’s resignation. If that wasn’t good enough, the team’s jersey patch partner issued a similar statement.
PayPal, the jersey patch sponsor for the Phoenix Suns, said it would not renew its contract with the team after this season if owner Robert Sarver remains a part of the franchise when his one-year suspension ends.
“PayPal is a values-driven company and has a strong record of combatting racism, sexism and all forms of discrimination,” PayPal CEO and president Dan Schulman said. “We have reviewed the report of the NBA league’s independent investigation into Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver and have found his conduct unacceptable and in conflict with our values. In light of the findings of the NBA’s investigation, we will not renew our sponsorship should Robert Sarver remain involved with the Suns organization, after serving his suspension.
“While we strongly reject the conduct of Robert Sarver, we remain supportive of the team, its players and the experienced and diverse talent now leading the organization, including head coach Monty Williams, general manager James Jones, assistant general manager Morgan Cato and senior vice president of people and culture Kim Corbitt.”
In 2018, PayPal inked a deal with the Suns to become the organization’s first jersey sponsor since the league first allowed advertisements to be displayed.
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An NBA probe released earlier this week found Sarver engaged in racist and misogynist behavior, but allowed Sarver to keep the team after serving a one-year suspension.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver defended the league’s punishment Wednesday, despite the NBA banning Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life in 2014 for a similar racist incident.
