The franchise’s valuation, reported by ESPN on Wednesday, would be the second-highest team ownership sale in sports history. Sarver, 60, announced his decision to sell the team and the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA this week after several sponsors, including Verizon Wireless and PayPal, were intending to cut sponsorship deals with both franchises. Put altogether, these sponsors generated $11million in revenue last season for the Arizona franchise. A factor that influenced Sarver’s decision to put the Suns on the market was the franchise’s frosty relationships with its sponsors, including PayPal and Verizon. The Suns office reportedly prepared for the worst outcome for Sarver, according to ESPN. In total, the Suns have 30 sponsors on a one-year contract until the end of the new season. Other than PayPal, these sponsors included Rocket Mortgage, Kia, Opendoor, CarMax, Kroger, Beam Suntory, Arizona Public Service, Footprint and Verizon. Many, if not all, sponsors sought ‘additional attention and talking points’ with Phoenix after the NBA’s final report on the allegations made against the Suns owner was made public, as well as Silver‘s punishment. He initially bought the team in 2004 for $400million. At the moment, the Denver Broncos’ $4.65billion sale in June to the Walton-Penner family is the North American record, surpassing the $2.4billion benchmark set by Steve Cohen in 2020 when he bought the New York Mets. Schulman, who is also part of Verizon’s board of directors, had also sent signs to the Suns front office that the carrier was considering pulling the plug with the basketball franchise.

NBA insider source told ESPN. Bob Iger, who has close ties with the NBA from his time at Disney (a league sponsor and organizer for the 2020 NBA bubble), is also considering buying the Arizona-based franchise. Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of the late Steve Jobs, is also believed to be in the running. Sarver was not deserving of the same punishment, Silver concluded and the NBA commissioner offered the Suns owner a path back to the league in 365-days time. Had that not been the case, Silver indicated, Sarver’s punishment – a one-year suspension and $10m fine – would have been far more severe. Silver, in response, made it clear that Cuban had not been personally accused of direct misconduct himself, and that allegations were aimed towards the Texas-based organization as a whole. The Suns owner, however, still complained about the severity of his punishment to Silver, and compared it to the sanctions handed to Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban in 2018 after two legal firms – Lowenstein Sandler and Krutoy Law – reported ‘toxic’ corporate culture. The 60-year-old, whose net worth is estimated at $800million, and members of the front-office were, however, accused of racist and misogynistic behavior, including allegedly requiring a coach to fire a minority agent and allegedly announcing his preference for extra large condoms at a staff meeting. In 2014, Sterling was handed a lifetime ban from the NBA after telling his mistress, V. Stiviano, in a recording obtained by TMZ that she is ‘not to bring them to my games,’ referring to black people. The Arizona businessman was not caught on tape and there was no indisputable evidence to find him guilty by default, unlike Sterling. As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness,’ Sarver said in his statement announcing his decision to sell the Phoenix Suns on September 21. ‘I expected that the commissioner’s one-year suspension would provide the time for me to focus, make amends and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had also privately advised Sarver to sell despite being of the opinion that the league’s 10-month investigation into the Suns owner’s inappropriate conduct was ‘dramatically different’ from the one tied to former LA Clippers owner, Donald Sterling. National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) executive director Tamika Tremaglio echoed a majority of NBA players’ sentiments on the situation, and said in an ESPN interview that they were ‘absolutely calling for’ a lifetime ban. But Silver revealed that Sarver was likely spared even stronger sanctioning by the NBA for his racist, misogynistic and hostile words and actions because of one key conclusion by investigators. Among rumors of a new team owner, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Oracle founder Larry Ellison. The NBA had the option of giving Sarver a longer ban than the one-year suspension. However, several players, including Lebron James, of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Chris Paul, the Suns’ point guard, didn’t think Silver’s punishment was hard enough on Sarver. All things considered, it had become inevitable for Sarver to sell, and it took all sort and types of influences for him to put the franchise from the market, from a business and sporting perspective. She currently has a 20 percent minority stake in the Washington Wizards. The NBA rules state that in order for an owner to be removed, it needs three-quarters of its board of governors to agree to start the process. In September, commissioner Silver made it clear that he cannot act alone on ‘the right to take away his team,’ referring to Sarver, in a press conference. Suns minority owner Jahm Najafi was one of the leading voices in the front office who had publicly advised Sarver to resign as owner.

Sterling Silver Snowflake Pendant

If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’.

The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver (informative post backtoglamour.com) or gold vermeil and natural gemstones. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. So she decided to make her own. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

Charm Bracelets Photo Sterling Silver Picture Frame Charms

It was established in 2009, with the ethos that jewellery should say a lot about who you are, whether big and bold or delicate and gold. Founded by Olivia Jenkins in 2021, D. Louise creates timeless long-lasting yet affordable jewellery. Olivia’s pursuit began when she identified a gap in the jewellery market – the need for everyday pieces that wouldn’t fade after a few wears – with this every piece comes with a lifetime guarantee against colour fading. Scream Pretty’s signature style is the curated ear – combining piercings and ear cuffs, to create bold stand out styling. Dreamt up on a bicycle ride through Rajasthan, India, the British jewellery brand Memara was launched in 2019, with the aim to create beautiful, timeless yet affordable demi-fine pieces. The brand is named after Olivia’s mother Deborah Louise who Olivia sadly lost to cancer in 2017. With the loss of her mother, Olivia felt life was too short to not be truly passionate about the everyday and D.Louise was born. Abby is a big believer in the talismanic and restorative power of jewellery, and strives to create designs that are both ethical and fashioned with love. The eclectic collection draws inspiration from founder Abby Kaye’s past experiences and travels through India, as well as her childhood in London and love of nature. The ranges include a collaboration with Vogue Williams. Award winning British Jewellery Brand Scream Pretty was founded by Lucy Lee with her sister Jessica Pearce in 2016. This family run business designs jewellery for self expression; affordable, stylish and fun – jewellery to shout about. After growing up in Singapore, founder Lynette Ong left her job in finance to pursue a dream of using her creativity for the better. Pieces are made in sterling silver with 18ct gold vermeil.