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Robert Sarver’s suspension, fines are always the most likely outcomes to avoid detection in court proceedings

Published

9 months ago

September 15, 2022

Rodrigo

Robert Sarver’s suspension, fines are always the most likely outcomes to avoid detection in court proceedings

Nobody wants to find out.

As such, an NBA suspension and a meager fine were always the most likely conclusions of Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver after nearly a year of investigation.

Sarver’s claim to lose his team is predictable, even admirable, but the next step is likely to be Sarver’s lawsuit — and the subsequent discovery opens everyone’s door and everyone’s closet to public scrutiny.

The Discovery was an invisible weapon used by Colin Kaepernick in the lawsuit against the NFL, which resulted in a settlement. The discovery was the not-so-friendly flame between the eyes of Jon Gruden, whose emails from years ago cost him $100 million from his job with the Las Vegas Raiders.

So Sarver will sneeze $10 million and stay out of the public eye for a while, even if he keeps his hands on the gas pedal.

Credit the NBA for relative transparency, and their process is more impressive than the conclusion.

They show their work – sort of – which seems admirable compared to the NFL’s “la la la, we can’t hear you, we can’t see you” approach to player and team owner misconduct .

The report noted that staff filmed a video of Sarver’s actions, but it does not appear to have been made public. Again more than its peers can tell it does in property surveys.

But that’s not the standard by which the NBA should measure itself. This is always the highest penalty the league can impose without revealing hard evidence.

No vitriolic public videos or vitriolic, thought-provoking situations to hug him or her. Reading about the constant abuse of women doesn’t seem to spark today’s outrage, and their words aren’t believed, just questioned.

It’s just racism, it’s just sexism, it’s just bullying, it’s just mistreatment of employees, it’s just sophomore behavior, and in the end Sarver will keep his bonus and take control of his team. The only way he could feel it would be if he were banished into the shadows for a year – so that he wouldn’t feel the public stigma.

But it’s reasonable to ask and feel — if that’s not enough to disappoint him, where’s the bottom line? Are there any crimes Sarver committed that would have resulted in NBA commissioner Adam Silver and team owners pushing for his removal?

Or is it just other owners who are afraid of the rich misbehaving?

It would be foolish to think that the NBA thinks only Sarver has behaved horribly. It’s in no rush to investigate every whisper it hears along the way. The NBA multiverse is small, and the vines move fast. Each level compares notes, so no one wants to rush to the next contestant on this Summer Jam screen.

Among the confirmed violations, Sarver repeated the “N-word” at least five times, exposed his genitals to employees, attempted to expose subordinates’ private parts, verbally abused women, and made comments about their perceived emotional states.

Oh yes, and a mockery of diversity.

If our current cultural discourse is any guide, we’ve seen this behavior rewarded, not condemned.

The NBA knows what it’s doing in terms of precedent and timing. Silver will be on the front lines, enduring the inane stares of the media — it’s the price he pays, mind you — and repeating all the clichés about zero tolerance his league should stand for.

He really believed in it all.

But that’s in stark contrast to the tone he set when he was first truly commissioner in 2014, when he was able to banish then Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life. Sterling paid for the largest housing discrimination lawsuit in U.S. history—yet, it was Sex, Lies, and V. Stiviano who let him down.

Well, honestly, it made him billions of dollars. Don’t be too cynical, but these team owners know that the Clippers are a hidden gold mine and a sale will subsequently increase the value of all other franchisees.

More importantly, it gave the illusion that Silver had team owners on the line, not the other way around. Achieving this result requires special circumstances, which will not be repeated here.

The current state feels no different than Congress — Silver doesn’t want Sarver to have the value of a team voted on by Sarver’s peers, and he doesn’t know he has the three-quarters needed to oust Sarver.

Keep in mind that Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has publicly slammed Sterling’s downfall, and it’s likely he’s not alone. He does not position himself as an ally of the pound, but feels he is setting a dangerous precedent.

There should be indisputable evidence beyond a reasonable doubt — and frankly, that evidence goes beyond the field.

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone claiming that Sarver should be in the club, but apparently no one wants to set the bar quite like Silver.

There is no shortage of billionaires or groups looking to do business with the NBA. Rumours of expansion in Seattle and Las Vegas, a looming TV rights deal and an overall booming business mean Sarver’s league can get away with it if it really wants to.

Choose a black woman or a woman of any race. Ask them if they were surprised that someone in a privileged position said something deemed offensive and did little to do about it — especially after overwhelming evidence clearly pointed to a fallen person.

Even the NBA included this gem in their 43-page investigative report, which corroborates much of what ESPN reported on Sarver nearly a year ago:

“Given these reports and the body of evidence reviewed by investigators, the investigation did not find that Sarver’s conduct was motivated by racial or gender hostility.”

Racism without racists. No sexual sexism.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where the rich often win and the world keeps turning. Accountability sounds good, but it’s one of the reasons many people keep a low profile, know what’s being said around and behind them, and keep driving despite their surroundings.

Leading is often not worth it.

Unfortunately, believing that a higher power, be it HR or the NBA, will have their backs is far too idealistic.

Terrible for those who have never been involved in the work in this situation. This is not an acceptable practice, but it is often the cost of doing business on the road to success.

As much as we would like to think that the world of sports is similar to our ecosystem, it is not. Different rules apply, and what dwarfs in the real world doesn’t qualify in sports.

If support for racism and sexism and misconduct meant the removal of CEOs from powerful companies, many leaders would not be in their place. Perhaps Silver at least knew this and completed the saga with his limited power.

Because no one wants to find out.

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He is the editor of River C Sports. Previously, he was editor-in-chief at other news sites . Rodrigo has spent most of his career as editor-in-chief of various websites and has more than 7 years of experience in the industry.

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News

JJ Watt announces NFL retirement

Published

5 months ago

December 27, 2022

July Neves

JJ Watt announces NFL retirement

JJ Watt is hanging up his boots. On Tuesday (27), the Arizona Cardinals defensive end announced that he is retiring from the NFL, via a post on Twitter.

“Koa’s (defensive end’s daughter) first NFL game, last home game of my career,” wrote the star, posing in photos alongside his daughter and wife, Chicago Red Stars forward Kealia. “My heart is filled with nothing less than love and gratitude. It has been an absolute honor and pleasure.”

Koa’s first ever NFL game.
My last ever NFL home game.

My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It’s been an absolute honor and a pleasure.

🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/wXbDUcHM8B

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 27, 2022

A three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Watt is a future Hall of Famer. He was the 11th overall pick in the 2011 Draft by the Houston Texans. There, he played until the end of the 2020 season, when he announced his move to Arizona.

In Texas, he played 128 games, including eight for the playoffs, adding 21 more for the Cardinals, one of them for the postseason, in last year’s Wild Card round against the Los Angeles Rams. In all, there are 149 starters on the field, 111.5 sacks, 580 tackles, 191 tackles for loss of yardage, 313 QB hits, one safety, and two interceptions.

When it comes to awards, the list is also extensive. He was three times named AP Defensive Player of the Year (2013, 2015 and 2016), once Walter Payton Man of the Year (2018), 2017 Sportsman of the Year, five times selected to the Pro Bowl (2012 to 2015 and 2018) and six times to the All-Pro team (2012 to 2015 and 2018).

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News

Four Flashes make the MAC First Team, and nine players are named All-Conference.

Published

6 months ago

December 4, 2022

Rodrigo

Four Flashes make the MAC First Team, and nine players are named All-Conference.

Marquez Cooper, Marcellus Marshall, Devontez Walker, and Dante Cephas were all named to the first team for the conference.

Cephas received his second selection to the first team of the conference in as many years. In MAC play, his figure increased to 97.8 yards per game, placing him second in the MAC with 82.7 yards per game. Cephas was one of three MAC receivers with an average of more over 15 yards per grab, along with teammate Devontez Walker. In the victory over Ohio this season, he set a Kent State record with a 246-yard performance (on 13 receptions).

Cooper receives his first all-conference mention after compiling 1,331 yards to finish second in the MAC and 14th in the FBS, marking the sixth season with 1,300+ yards in program history. For the Flashes, Cooper’s 13 running touchdowns are among the top 10 for any season. Cooper recorded the sixth 240+ yard game in program history in the win against Ohio, and he averaged over 130 yards per game (132.7) in conference games. He and Cephas established themselves as the first duo in FBS history to have over 240 yards apiece in the same contest.

Assuming the starting offensive tackle position, Marcellus Marshall achieved first-honors for his performance. Marshall started each of the 12 games, and the offensive line helped create the best rushing attack in the MAC, averaging more than 200 yards per game and more than 2,400 yards total. The Flashes were also one of three teams in the MAC to average 400 yards of offense per game and one of two to surpass 5,000 total offense yards this season.

Walker, who this season took on a starting position, receives his first all-conference honor. With 11 touchdown catches, he established a new school record and had one of the best seasons in the MAC. That score ranked sixth in the FBS and tied for first in the MAC. His 921 yards ranked third all-time in program history and led the league. In terms of catches (58) and yards per catch, he also came in first (15.9).

Sam Allan, Nico Bolden, and Ja’Shaun Poke were named to the second team of the conference.

Allan, who started all 12 games at center for the Golden Flashes, ends his career with his first all-conference recognition. Like Marshall, Allan contributed to the offensive line’s stability and helped the unit record its fourth season of 5,000+ offensive yardage.

With 103 tackles this season, Bolden achieved a career best and was named to the all-conference team for the first time. His five games with 10+ tackles, including his final three games of the season, marked the end of his Kent State career. His 64 solo tackles were second in the MAC and was first on the squad.

Poke’s talent as a returner won him a spot on the second team. With only 15 returns, he finished sixth in overall return yardage but topped the MAC with a kickoff return average of 29.4. Poke contributed to the passing game as well, ranking third on the team in throwing yards with 362 for the year.

Zayin West and Collin Schlee were named to the third team of the league. In his first 11 games as the starting quarterback, Schlee completed 2,109 passes for 2,109 yards. His 138.0 quarterback rating, which was third-best in the MAC, was aided by the second-best MAC touchdown-to-interception ratio of 13 to 5. Schlee improved the club’s running game by contributing 492 yards, four touchdowns, and more than five yards per carry to his second-place result on the team.

In his last season, Zayin West had an all-conference campaign. With a team and career high of 11.5 tackles for loss, West placed top-10 in the MAC. That number includes 4.5 sacks, which ranks second on the team. With two sacks and three tackles for loss in the triumph, he contributed to securing the Wagon Wheel for the fourth consecutive season. West was also an important player for the Flashes’ special teams, converting a fake punt against Georgia by catching a pass, and returning a kick against Ball State for 21 yards.

The four first-team members and nine all-conference selections are Kent State’s highest totals since 1997 and 2012, respectively.

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After the final group games, Qatar World Cup last-16 fixtures have been confirmed ahead of England vs. Senegal.

Published

6 months ago

December 3, 2022

Rodrigo

After the final group games, Qatar World Cup last-16 fixtures have been confirmed ahead of England vs. Senegal.

England is one of 16 teams to advance from their groups as the World Cup enters its final rounds. Tomorrow (Saturday), the round of 16 begins, with the winners of Group A facing the losers of Group B.

The Netherlands advanced without incident as Cody Gakpo continues to impress in his maiden World Cup, leading the competition in scoring. England will play Senegal on Sunday, joining the Netherlands and the United States in the next round.

Lionel Messi was influential for Argentina once again, as they prepare to face Australia, who qualified with France from Group D. At one point on Thursday night, Spain and Germany were both on their way out of the tournament, but it was the Germans who suffered another disappointing performance at a major tournament and joined Belgium in exiting the competition.

The World Cup will now be divided into two paths to the final, with countries prepared for knockout competition. Here is a schedule for the World Cup once all of the group stage matches have been completed:

The Netherlands won Group A with seven points from three matches and will face the United States, who placed second to England in Group B. Gakpo is the primary guy for Louis van Gaal’s team at the moment, although Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Yunus Musah, and Weston McKennie are also dangers for the USA.

Lionel Messi will be trying to lead his country into the quarter-finals with a win over Australia, as the winners of the above two games will meet in the quarter-finals.

France vs. Poland and England against. Senegal on Sunday, December 4

The opposite half of the World Cup knockout bracket begins on Sunday, with France facing Poland, who finished second in Group C behind Argentina. England will try to advance to the quarter-finals with a win over Senegal, perhaps setting up a meeting with the current World Cup champions if France defeats Poland.

Monday, December 5: Japan vs. Croatia, and Brazil vs. South Korea.

Japan, who qualified out of Group E ahead of Costa Rica and Germany on the final matchday of the group stages, will face Croatia who saw out a 0-0 draw against Belgium to knock Roberto Martinez’s side out of the competition in shocking fashion. Brazil, the tournament favorites, rotated significantly for their last group stage encounter, which they lost 1-0 to Cameroon.

Neymar remains an injury worry for the remainder of the tournament, and South Korea will be a severe test after defeating Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in the round of 16, qualifying ahead of both Uruguay and Ghana on goals scored.

Morocco against. Spain & Portugal vs. Switzerland on Tuesday, December 6

The last round of 16 matches get off on Tuesday, with Morocco taking on Spain and Portugal taking on Switzerland. The Swiss defeated Serbia 3-2 on the penultimate day of the group stages to secure their spot in the round of 16, while Morocco demonstrated their ability to trigger an upset by defeating Belgium in their group.

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