Video emerges of Robert Sarver doing the same thing he's been accused of
Robert Sarver video
In the midst of the NBA's investigation into Robert Sarver over sexism and racism allegations, a video emerged of the Suns' owner joking around in a similar fashion earlier this year.
Posthumously roasting a friend
During a Memorial Roast for the late Suns' minority owner Richard "Dick" Heckmann in April, Sarver can be seen cracking inappropriate jokes about, among other things, Heckmann's sexual proclivities and his sons' sexual activities within the Suns' organization, according to Sports Illustrated.
The video was apparently shown to some members of the Suns' ownership group before it was obtained by SI. The full video of Sarver's posthumous roast is available on their site,
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Some of Sarver's jokes from the video
Stories about Heckmann’s sons’ sexual exploits: “We just bought the team in June of 2004. My biggest concerns were ticket sales, sponsorship revenue, trying to sign some players, getting a winning record — what I really know is my biggest concern was the Heckmann boys were f***ing their way through the cheerleading team.”
Stories about Heckmann’s own sex life: “Dick was chasing everything that moved in Scottsdale. And speaking of — someone said he left his DNA. He did leave his DNA in Steve Nash's socks somewhere in the locker room.”
Sarver's words to someone in the crowd, apparently on their phone and not paying attentionto his roast: “This guy’s got a make-believe deal going on over here at f***ing three in the morning. You merging on a SPAC, or you lining up a hooker over there? What are you doing? It’s a goddamn memorial service. F***ing idiot, Jesus Christ. I’m gonna guess his receptionist has small t**s. But, he has no idea; he’s just drinking his wine.”
Sarver addressing Heckmnann's children: "Look at how good you guys all turned out. I never would have believed it, to be honest with you. I mean, you’re married. You got kids. You got a family. You got a business. You're making money. It’s a f***ing miracle, really. Compared to where you guys started 17 years ago, it’s unbelievable. Yeah, I mean we’re lucky we still own the franchise. In today’s environment, we’d have lost it a long time ago.”
Connecting the dots
Sharing ill-suited stories at a private gathering isn't necessarily wrong. But given what's been going on with Sarver over the last few days -- he's been accused of making dozens of employees uncomfortable with racist and misogynistic comments -- this video is telling.
Ever since ESPN dropped a bombshell report about Sarver, people are sharing their experiences with the Suns' owner that validate the level of disturbance portrayed in the article -- Vince Carter is the last one to do it. But the video obtained by Sports Illustrated might be the final nail in his coffin.
One of the statements released prior to the story being published asked us "not to rush to judgement." And the presumption of innocence still stands. But with evidence like this one, the case against Sarver keeps getting stronger and stronger.
