‘CATEGORICALLY DENY’

Phoenix Suns Owner Denies Being Racist Before Allegations Drop in New Report

Before anyone knew what he was denying, Robert Sarver wrote, “I reject any insinuation of personal or organizational racism or gender discrimination.”

The owner of the Phoenix Suns has issued a preemptive denial of accusations of racism and sexism expected to come in a forthcoming ESPN story. League analyst Jordan Schultz teased the story late Friday, tweeting that it details allegations of “racism, sexism and sexual harassment” and a “series of incidents” that could prove damning for Robert Sarver. In response, Sarver wrote, “I reject any insinuation of personal or organizational racism or gender discrimination… I categorically deny any and all suggestions that I used disparaging language related to race or gender.” The team also issued a statement calling the story “lies, innuendo, and a false narrative.” The statement reads, “Documentary evidence in our possession and eyewitness accounts directly contradict the reporter’s accusation, and we are preparing our response to his questions.”