Robert Sarver, the owner of NBA team, the Phoenix Suns, has declared his intention to sell the club.
Following an NBA inquiry exposing his racist and sexist workplace behavior, Sarver was fined $10 million and banned from the sport for a year.
LeBron James and Chris Paul, both NBA players, were among those who demanded that the Suns owner receive a harsher punishment.
“This is the best course of action for everyone,” said Sarver in a statement, announcing he was looking for a buyer.
The pressure on Sarver, who also owns the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, increased after the NBA suspended him last week.
“I do not want to be a distraction,” said Sarver. “I want what’s best for these two organizations, the players, the employees, the fans, the community, my fellow owners, the NBA and the WNBA.
“In our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past.”
The move was welcomed by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who said in a statement that he “fully supported” Sarver’s decision to sell.
Silver added: “This is the right next step for the organisation and community.”