“Found His Conduct Unacceptable”: Major Phoenix Suns Sponsor Threatens to Leave, Hours After Team’s VP and Minority Owner Called For Robert Sarver’s Resignation

Jahm Najafi, the minority owner and vice-chairman of the Phoenix Suns, demanded the resignation of Robert Sarver, the team’s main owner, on Thursday night. A similar remark was made less than 24 hours later by the team’s jersey patch partner.

PayPal, who sponsors the Phoenix Suns’ jersey patches, announced on Friday that it would not continue to support the club if majority owner Robert Sarver were to remain in that position after serving a one-year suspension for making racist and misogynistic statements.

Robert Sarver Phoenix Suns
Credits: CNBC

On Friday, PayPal said that it would not extend its sponsorship of the Suns if Sarver kept his position with the team after his one-year suspension had ended.

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Phoenix Suns sponsor PayPal issues statement over Robert Sarver row

“PayPal is a values-driven company and has a strong record of combatting racism, sexism and all forms of discrimination,” PayPal CEO and president Dan Schulman said in a statement.

“We have reviewed the report of the NBA league’s independent investigation into Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver and have found his conduct unacceptable and in conflict with our values.”

“… In light of the findings of the NBA’s investigation, we will not renew our sponsorship should Robert Sarver remain involved with the Suns organization, after serving his suspension,” Schulman said in his statement.

The company’s sponsorship agreement with the Suns, which started in 2018 and also covers the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA and the Real Club Deportivo Mallorca of Spain, all of which are owned by Sarver, will end after the 2022–23 campaign. ESPN claims that PayPal’s contract with the team for the 2021–22 season was for $3 million.

Sarver may rejoin the Suns for the 2023–24 season after receiving a one-season suspension as part of the NBA’s penalty on Tuesday.

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