Mercury coach: Sarver allegations a ‘total shock’
Phoenix Mercury coach Sandy Brondello said it’s a “total shock” to her regarding allegations of racism and sexism towards Robert Sarver in an ESPN story.
“Nothing like that, “Brondello said Thursday morning. “He’s the best owner, he’s great for us. That’s a total shock for me.”
Sarver, who is White, is team owner for the Phoenix Suns and Mercury.
“I don’t want to comment too much because it’s not my decision here, but he’s been a great owner. This is a great organization and it starts at the top.
Brondello said she’s surprised by the allegations, adding she’s “never experiencing anything like that” with Sarver.
“He’s great,” Brondello said. “He is fantastic. He’s been great. He’s been a big supporter of this women’s game and we’re appreciative of him.”
Sarver has been seen sitting beside Mercury All-Star Diana Taurasi during Suns games, but he did slap her on the bottom as the team celebrated a playoff win this season.
In the ESPN article, Sarver allegedly passed around a picture of his wife in a bikini to employees and talked about her performing oral sex on him. He also allegedly once asked a woman if he “owned” her to determine whether she worked for the Suns.
The Suns canceled media availability after their morning shootaround Thursday as the Suns play the Rockets later tonight.
The ESPN article reported that Sarver used in N-word in asking then Suns coach Earl Watson about Warriors forward Draymond Green using the N-word during a Oct. 30, 2016 game the Suns lost at home.
In the coaches’ locker room, Sarver asked why Green got away with saying the (N-word), Watson told ESPN. When Watson, who is Black and Hispanic, told Sarver he couldn’t say that, he said Sarver responded by asking why not because Green said it.
Suns All-Star Devin Booker was on the 2016-17 team. Sarver fired Watson three games into the 2017-18 season.
Rockets coach Stephen Silas spoke on
the situation in relation to Suns General Manager James Jones and head coach Monty Williams, as he knows both of them.
“I’m used to stuff like adversity after what I went through last year and it’s just a hard deal,” Silas said. “Two men who are completely equipped to handle this situation in a class manner and the way that it should be and the way that most us probably wouldn’t be able to. They’re just such quality human beings to be in the position of power that they’re in. I know they will handle it in a smart, thoughtful, caring way that helps everybody.”
A close friend of Williams, Silas later was asked if allegations will negatively impact the season as the NBA is celebrating its 75th anniversary season. He didn’t think it would, but did elaborate on how the situation is “a mirror. of society.”
Silas, Jones and Williams are all African-Americans.
“There’s going to be great times and there’s going to be times that are hard that you have to deal with,” Silas said. “This is one of those times we’re all going to have to deal with and really think hard about how things should be done or not and make sure that when we are like Monty and like James, really thinking about the guys and what’s important and that’s what they’re going to do.”