Businessman Robert Sarver, the owner of the NBA team Phoenix Suns, has been accused of racism, sexism and sexual harassment in a series of incidents, according to US media reports.

According to NBA insider Jordan Schultz, the league is preparing for an ESPN report that NBA expects will accuse Sarver of racism, sexism, and sexual harassment over a long period of time. While the details of the report are not yet known, the league’s knowledge of the allegations says a lot about the significance of the report.  

Meanwhile, the Suns have come out with a flurry of statements to defend Sarver even before the report has dropped.

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But, can NBA force owners to sell their franchises?

To simply answer the question, yes, removing an owner from the league is permitted under NBA rules. However, in order for it to happen, three-fourths of team owners must all agree to remove the person from the league. In the light of the current situation, following the publication and verification of the report, if Commissioner Adam Silver seeks that vote, 23 owners must approve Sarver’s removal.

Former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was forced out in a similar fashion for going on a racist rant. The NBA had banned him for life and fined him $2.5 million in 2014. So it will not be the first time an owner of an NBA franchise will be forced out of the league if it does come to it.

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When Silver first spoke after the Sterling tape was released, he announced that he already had support from several owners and fully expected to have a supermajority. A short time later, other NBA owners agreed to remove Sterling from the NBA.

Hence, if the pending narrative and claims against Robert Sarver are deemed to be in the same light as what Sterling claimed, the NBA will likely remove him from all Suns and professional basketball activities quickly.