On his way out the door, Phoenix Suns’ Robert Sarver blames everyone but himself

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Apparently, it’s our fault Robert Sarver is selling the Suns and Mercury.

He’s not doing it because of the toxic culture he created as majority owner. Or because he demanded employees, or because of the sexist and racist comments he made.

He’s doing it because the rest of us aren’t willing to forgive him for those transgressions.

That was the message he sent in a statement on Wednesday announcing he was seeking buyers for the two franchises.

Sarver chose to play victim, a role he’s taken up so often that it’s a cliche.

Sarver wrote that “as a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness,” and that he hoped the one-year suspension imposed by the NBA would allow him to “focus, make amends and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love.”

Except, apparently, that’s not possible because the rest of us aren’t giving enough.

“But in our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that that is no longer possible,” he wrote, “that whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past.”

Well, yes, it is. By quite a bit.

The path to forgiveness begins with contrition and ends with change. If Sarver isn’t willing to take the first step, how will he ever get to the final one?

After the NBA announced last week it was fining Sarver $10 million and suspending him for a year, a statement from Sarver opened with his “representatives” pushing back, alleging the league’s investigation found no evidence to support several accusations made in the original ESPN report detailing the toxic culture during Sarver’s previous 17 years as owner.

It was a laughable assertion, because the investigation by the law firm hired by the NBA confirmed the majority of what ESPN reported. And Sarver reportedly argued with the league about the severity of his punishment.

That doesn’t sound like a man who was sincerely sorry for his actions and committed to improvement.

Sarver profile: What you need to know about Suns, Mercury team owner

I wish Sarver no ill will. I like to think most Suns fans don’t either. Sarver likely would disagree, but it’s possible to wish him well in trying to become a better person while believing the sooner he becomes the ex-owner of the Suns and Mercury, the better.

They are not incompatible thoughts.

Sarver retaining majority ownership in the Suns and Mercury would be disrespectful to all the current and former Suns employees who were interviewed during the investigation. Many recounted some of the worst experiences in their lives in the hopes that the NBA would take significant action.

Instead, Commissioner Adam Silver let Sarver off easy with the fine and the suspension. Public opinion did what Silver did not, let Sarver know continuing to own the majority share of the Suns and Mercury was in no one’s best interests, other than Sarver’s.

Lakers forward LeBron James and Suns guard Chris Paul criticized the NBA’s decision, as did media around the country. PayPal said it would pull its sponsorship of the teams if Sarver returned after the suspension. Warriors forward Draymond Green called on other NBA owners to vote on forcing Sarver to sell.

More voices likely would have weighed in, perhaps as early as Monday when the Suns are scheduled to have media day to kick off training camp.

Sarver’s decision to sell is best for everyone involved, including Sarver.

Suns and Mercury players and coaches won’t be asked all season about Sarver’s suspension, his possible return and if they could work for him again. Sponsors won’t be asked about possibly ending their deals.

Stories of Sarver’s ownership will dwindle in number. The focus will be on Sarver’s efforts to sell the franchises, their value and how things might change under new ownership.

Sarver likely will have no shortage of suitors, even if the price tag is $2 billion or more.

Moore: I’m rooting for Suns’ Robert Sarver to find redemption, forgiveness

Sarver and his investment group bought the Suns for $400 million in 2004, and the franchise is valued at just under $2 billion. If that’s accurate Sarver, who holds around one-third of the stake, stands to make a profit of about $600 million.

That’s a nice parting gift for Sarver, although he’s made it clear he preferred to return in a year.

Sarver’s parting gift to his franchises and their fans is his realization that returning in a year wasn’t going to be good for anyone.

For that, he has only himself to blame.

Reach Kent Somers at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter @kentsomers. Hear Somers every Monday and Friday at 7:30 am on The Drive with Jody Oehler on Fox Sports 910 AM.

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