Basketball: Suns president resigns after workplace allegations – report
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Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (right) dunking the ball against Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Feb 4.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LOS ANGELES – Phoenix Suns president and chief executive officer Jason Rowley has resigned following a report alleging workplace misconduct that also led owner Robert Sarver to sell the National Basketball Association (NBA) team, ESPN reported on Monday.
He stepped down hours before the team’s sale was officially approved by the NBA board of governors.
Rowley, who began working for the Suns in 2007 and served as president since 2012, had told employees he would not resign after ESPN’s report in December on Phoenix’s workplace complaints, many of which put Rowley at the centre of the problem.
Suns staff learnt about Rowley’s resignation in an e-mail from interim team governor Sam Garvin, according to the latest report.
“I wanted to let you know that Jason Rowley made the decision to leave the organisation. After almost 15 years of hard work and dedicated service, Jason felt that the transition in ownership created ideal timing to close this chapter of his professional journey and pursue new opportunities,” Garvin said.
“We wish Jason the best and are appreciative of his tireless work on behalf of our organisation.”
ESPN had detailed accusations of intimidation, harassment, verbal intimidation and retaliation of more than two dozen former and current Suns employees two months ago.
That report led to an NBA investigation into the allegations that found racist and misogynist acts, prompting a one-year ban and US$10 million (S$13.3 million) fine for Sarver from the league.
The report said he used a racial slur at least five times, sexually harassed female employees and yelled and cursed at workers during nearly two decades of ownership.
According to ESPN, Rowley was also accused of cursing and screaming at a pregnant employee after he heard that she had complained about the organisation’s reporting structure.
After several sponsors vowed not to support the ownership in the wake of the misconduct, Sarver pledged to sell the team.
A reported US$4 billion deal with billionaire Mat Ishbia, president and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage, for the Suns and the Women’s NBA Phoenix Mercury, could be announced by Wednesday after the sale was confirmed, ESPN reported.
AFP, REUTERS
