$1.8 billion Phoenix Suns finds potential suitors in Amazon founder and former Disney CEO among other billionaires

Arjun Julka | 22/09/2022
$1.8 billion Phoenix Suns finds potential suitors in Amazon founder and former Disney CEO among other billionaires

The big shots of America lineup as the owner of Phoenix Suns and Mercury Robert Sarver announces his decision to sell both franchises.  

Currently, under heavy backlash for his racist and misogynistic behavior, Robert Sarver announced his decision to sell his teams, Phoenix Suns and Mercury. It all began with a 2021 ESPN report, which alleged the $800 million net worth businessman engaged in a toxic work environment.

The detailed report narrated the ordeal of the Suns staff, employees, and even players. Following this, the NBA conducted its investigation, resulting in a $10 million fine and a one-year suspension for Sarver. The conclusion being the 60-year-old violated workplace standards.

On the very same day of the league leveling its penalties, Sarver announced having begun the process of selling the Suns and Mercury. According to Forbes, the Phoenix Suns are worth $1.8 billion, ranking no.18 among the other 30-NBA teams. In 2004, Sarver bought the franchise for $401 million.

Also read: Robert Sarver, who draws comparisons to Donald Sterling, set to lose millions as PayPal threatens to pull out of contract

Recently, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne dished out some names that had expressed interest in acquiring the Phoenix franchises.

“There’s a lot of names out there, like Amazon’s Jeff Bezos”: Ramona Shelburne on potential suitors for the Suns and Mercury franchise.

Post Sarver’s decision to sell his Phoenix franchises, there have been some big names doing the rounds, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos ($142 billion), former Disney CEO Bob Iger ($690 million), Oracle co-founder Larry Elson ($94.4 billion), a minority owner of Wizards and widow of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Laurene Powell Jobs ($13.6 billion).

This is great news for hoop fans in Phoenix who need not worry about not having an NBA and WNBA. team. Commissioner Silver and co needed to be applauded for their prompt and swift actions, assuring the affected parties of the Sarver’s illicit actions don’t bear any brunt of this.

Also read: NBA Fan points out that Mark Cuban, who received a similar $10 million fine as Robert Sarver, should not have been let off so easily

 

Post Edited By: Arjun Julka
Jeff Bezos Phoenix Mercury Phoenix Suns Robert Sarver

About the author

Arjun Julka

Arjun Julka is a NBA author at The SportsRush. Basketball isn’t just a sport for this 26-year-old, who hails from Mumbai. He began watching the sport after stumbling upon a court in his society, helping him identify an undiscovered passion for the game of hoops. Now an ardent fan, Arjun supports Stephen Curry and the Warriors but also enjoys watching Giannis Antetokounmpo own the paint. When it comes to the GOAT debate, the TSR author feels LeBron James is yet to receive a lot of his due but cannot deny marveling at Michael Jordan’s resume.

Don’t miss these