Robert Sarver and his wife have been on their worst behavior. Just recently, Sarver’s wife confirmed she contacted three former Phoenix Suns employees – which were viewed as “threats” by those contacted – amid an NBA investigation into allegations of racism and sexism against her husband.
“Over the weekend, I decided on my own to reach out to a few people to try to set the record straight and to share how disappointed and hurt I am by the lies that are circulating about my husband and the Suns organization,” Penny Sarver told ESPN, adding that she looks forward to the NBA’s investigation.
“I shared the betrayal that I felt and I touched on some of the pain that we are going through as a family.”
The three former Suns employees told ESPN they believe Sarver’s messages were an intimidation tactic.
She clearly has learned well from her husband who is now being blasted again this week after a video has emerged of Sarver cracking lewd jokes.
In a posthumous “roast” of Suns minority owner Dick Heckmann earlier this year, Sarver can be seen on stage joking about Heckmann’s sons having sex with Suns cheerleaders, the size of an acquaintance’s receptionist’s chest and his friend’s own sexual experiences according to Sports Illustrated’s Alex Prewitt and Jon Wertheim.
The comments were reportedly made at a memorial service for Heckman, who was a minority owner of the team before his death. According to SI, Heckman’s widow arranged a memorial roast which was in keeping with her late husband’s wishes.
“References to Heckmann’s sons’ sexual exploits: “We just bought the team in June of 2004. My biggest concerns were ticket sales, sponsorship revenue, trying to sign some players, getting a winning record — what I really know is my biggest concern was the Heckmann boys were f***ing their way through the cheerleading team.”
Stories about Heckmann’s own sex life, including one involving former Suns great Steve Nash: “Dick was chasing everything that moved in Scottsdale. And speaking of — someone said he left his DNA. He did leave his DNA in Steve Nash’s socks somewhere in the locker room.”
At one point Sarver turned his gaze to someone in the crowd, apparently on their phone and not paying attention. “This guy’s got a make-believe deal going on over here at fing three in the morning. You merging on a SPAC, or you lining up a hooker over there? What are you doing? It’s a goddamn memorial service. Fing idiot, Jesus Christ. I’m gonna guess his receptionist has small t**s. But, he has no idea; he’s just drinking his wine.”
Sarver continued:
“Look at how good you guys all turned out,” Sarver said. “I never would have believed it, to be honest with you. I mean, you’re married. You got kids. You got a family. You got a business. You’re making money. It’s a f***ing miracle, really. Compared to where you guys started 17 years ago, it’s unbelievable. Yeah, I mean we’re lucky we still own the franchise. In today’s environment, we’d have lost it a long time ago.”
The full video of the roast is available on SI’s site.
The release of the footage, which was reportedly taken during a team roast session, seems to further confirm the details of the original report.
Per Sports Illustrated, neither the Suns nor Sarver’s representatives have commented on the video’s release.
