ESPN report alleging racism, misogyny by Suns owner details incident with Earl Watson
An ESPN story that alleges racism and misogyny by Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver leads with an incident involving then Suns head coach Earl Watson, who had played at Washington High in Kansas City, Kansas.
On Oct. 30, 2016, after Watson’s third game as the Suns’ head coach, a loss to the Golden State Warriors, Sarver entered the coaches locker room and reportedly had this conversation with Watson, according to the story’s author, Baxter Holmes:
“You know, why does Draymond Green get to run up the court and say [N-word],” Sarver, who is white, allegedly said, repeating the N-word several times.
“You can’t say that,” Watson, who is Black and Hispanic, told Sarver.
“Why?” Sarver replied. “Draymond Green says [N-word].”
“You can’t f---ing say that,” Watson said again.
Sarver and Watson released statements after the story was posted Thursday.
Sarver said Watson was “clearly not a credible source.”
“While there is so much that is inaccurate and misleading in this story that I hardly know where to begin, let me be clear: The N-word is not part of my vocabulary,” Sarver said. “I have never called anyone or any group of people the N-word, or referred to anyone or any group of people by that word, either verbally or in writing. I don’t use that word.”
Watson’s statement was released later in the day:
“I am not interested in engaging in an ongoing battle of fact. Instead, I want to applaud the courage of the numerous players, executives, and staffers for fighting toxic environments of racial insensitivity, sexual harassment, and micro-aggressions with their truth. Basketball and 17 years in the NBA has allowed me the financial privilege to speak my truth, but we can’t forget about those who must remain silent for fear of losing their jobs. While our fortitude assists with progress, there is still more work to be done in the name of equality, and I believe that one of the strengths of our league is its ongoing commitment to justice. This has been a traumatic experience, one that has affected me profoundly, and I am not willing to relive it every day. But I will not forget it, and I will address it more fulsomely at a point in the future when I feel ready.”
The NBA announced on Thursday that it will begin an investigation into Sarver and the Suns.
Watson, 42, was a standout point guard at Washington, earning All-Metro honors as a senior when he averaged 23.4 points per game. He attended UCLA and was selected in the second round of the 1997 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. Watson played for 13 seasons.
He was the Suns’ head coach for 118 games and was fired three games into the 2017-18 season. Watson is now an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors.
This story was originally published November 4, 2021 at 8:57 PM.