Report: Sam Garvin Appointed as Suns Interim Governer

The NBA authorized the move on Wednesday evening, according to Baxter Holmes.

On Wednesday, the NBA officially released their findings on Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver. 

The punishment after interviewing over 300 people and reviewing 80,000 documents of allegations into sexual and racial comments made in the workplace was a $10 million fine and a one-year suspension as governor of the Suns and Phoenix Mercury.

Sarver was reportedly going to help search for his temporary replacement during his suspension, which was effective immediately. 

However, the NBA has already appointed a new person. 

ESPN's Baxter Holmes reported on Thursday Suns vice chairman and minority owner Sam Garvin was appointed as the team's interim governor. 

Phoenix Suns vice chairman and minority owner Sam Garvin has been appointed the interim governor of the team during majority owner Robert Sarver's one-year suspension, sources tell ESPN.

— Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) September 15, 2022

Sources tell @ZachLowe_NBA and me that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver authorized Sam Garvin, the team's alternate governor, to be the Suns' interim governor, effective immediately, on Wednesday evening. https://t.co/GNxub75ESL

— Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) September 15, 2022

Interestingly enough, Garvin signed a statement backing Sarver when ESPN's initial report on his misconduct first arrived in November of 2021, as Zach Lowe points out. 

Garvin was among the members of the Suns/Mercury ownership group who signed a Nov. 2021 statement backing Robert Sarver in the wake of @baxter's story. The statement is still up here:https://t.co/E0DvyZhFLj https://t.co/XGGyj488AI

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) September 15, 2022

The official release Garvin signs reads as the following:

"We are members of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury ownership group, along with managing partner Robert Sarver. We have reviewed the article published by ESPN about the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury organization and Mr. Sarver. To a person, we dispute the characterization of Mr. Sarver and the organization as racist and sexist. We support Mr. Sarver’s leadership and stand with him. To that end, we join Mr. Sarver in welcoming Commissioner Silver’s investigation of the allegations presented by ESPN, and will fully cooperate in the investigation and any suggestions the league may have. It is our sincere belief that this inquiry will demonstrate that our organization and Mr. Sarver are faithful stewards of our employees, our franchise, our fans and the game." 

Garvin has been in his current position since 2005. 

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