Sarver looks for buyer to keep Suns in Ariz.
NEW ORLEANS – Sam Garvin has no say so in the sale of the Phoenix Suns, but he knows what type of ownership Robert Sarver seeks.
“I think he really wants to find someone who loves Arizona, wants to keep (the Suns) in Arizona and is committed to the fans and is committed to the community. I think he’ll do a good job on the sale.”
Garvin, 58, has his own company, Garvin Promotion Group, or GPG, based out of Phoenix, has enjoyed his time as team vice chairman, but has zero interest in becoming a managing governor of the Suns.
“If I were to be part of the new group buying it, I would want to have that same role, or I wouldn’t be involved,” he said. “I can help add value there, make the team better, grow revenues, give the basketball people more money to continue to have sustained success and get more players. I would not want to be the head guy like Robert was.”
Garvin, a longtime minority partner in the team’s ownership group, has been serving as interim team governor after the NBA suspended Sarver in September for one year from any activities involving both the Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and fined $10 million for ”workplace misconduct and organizational deficiencies” found during an NBA investigation.
A team vice chairman, Garvin isn’t just sitting around with a tag.
He’s handling business.
“For super extraordinary items, I have the ability to consult with (Sarver) and get his opinion on it, but day-to-day stuff, regular trades, business decisions, all business and basketball matters, I’m the final say,” Garvin said.
Garvin spoke Wednesday morning with The Republic and discussed several topics such as his reaction to the Sarver investigation findings, role in running the team, the way the Suns are playing and more. We started talking about how he’s working to continually improve the culture of the franchise.
Q: What’s it been like being the interim team governor?
SG: “It’s been an honor, but it’s really been a challenge, too, because any time you come into something where there’s a lot of change going on, there’s a lot to wrap your arms around, but overall, it’s been, challenge, but it’s been a privilege really.”
Q: What’s been most challenging?
SG: “For me, I think it’s been continuing to accelerate a culture change. In my opinion, we had a culture change underway at the Suns way before the suspension. One thing I’ve tried to do is support and accelerate that change and really connect with all of the Suns employees and make sure that they think it’s a safe, respectful, positive place to come and work. That’s been a challenge, but not an insurmountable challenge. So, it’s been actually interesting and fun. Got to meet a lot of people that I didn’t know very well before.”
Q: So these interactions are in person and over the phone?
SG: “Yes. Not only telling them, but I would like to think leading by example that we’re going to treat each other with respect. We’re going to treat each other with professionalism. Everybody’s view is welcomed. We may not be able to do what everyone’s view is, but everybody’s opinion is valued and we’re going to treat each other like professionals with respect and make it a safe and inviting and positive place to work. I think some of that was underway prior to the suspension in September, but I’d like to think that the culture is better today, 60 days later and I’d like to think that’ll be even better 60 days from now. That’s my goal.”
Q: What was your initial reaction to the Sarver investigation findings?
SG: “I was shocked. A lot of different emotions. I was shocked. I was disappointed.”
Q: Been in contact with Sarver?
SG: “I communicate with Robert regularly. The suspension bars him from being involved in any day-to-day contact with employees, coming on any NBA premises, anything like that, but there’s a mechanism allowable by the NBA where on ‘extraordinary items,’ if I need to, I can communicate with him. So we communicate regularly. I wouldn’t say it’s often, but regularly.”
Q: Any insight on the sale?
SG: “Sadly, not much, because the arrangement that was worked out is Robert Sarver is exclusively in charge of the sale. Everything that has to do with the sale, he’s in charge of. I have no real hand or role in the sale. I know there was a lot of interest because before that was made public, a bunch of groups reached out and just said, ‘Hey, we’re interested,’ and I said, ‘Well, you’ve got to talk to Robert Sarver. He has everything to do with the sale and nothing to do with running or managing the Suns. He’s in charge of it and I think he’ll do a good job. I think he really wants to find someone who loves Arizona, wants to keep (the Suns) in Arizona and is committed to the fans and is committed to the community. So I think he’ll do a good job on the sale.”