PayPal won't renew sponsorship with Suns if Robert Sarver stays with team after suspension

On Wednesday, one day after Sarver's suspension was announced, NBA commissioner Adam Silver defended his decision on the length, saying that the owner of the Suns and WNBA's Phoenix Mercury had "evolved as a person" and had done "many very positive things." Superstar LeBron James — who has been one of, if not the biggest face of the league since turning pro nearly two decades ago — disagreed, saying, "Our league definitely got this wrong."

James wasn't alone in his criticism. Even Suns minority owner Jahm Najafi said on Thursday that he was "calling for the resignation" of Sarver. NAACP president Derrick Johnson was upset with the ruling as well, calling the decision "shameful."

The 60-year-old owner was suspended for one year and fined $10 million following an investigation into the franchise. The investigation concluded that Sarver used the N-word "at least five times" when recounting the statements of others, while there were also "instances of inequitable conduct toward female employees, sex-related comments and inappropriate comments on employees' appearances."

In addition to the suspension and fine, Sarver must also attend a training program that focuses on respect and appropriate conduct in the workplace.