Suns' Boardroom Battle Hits Mediation: Can Ishbia Finally Get His Way?
Here's the thing: Mat Ishbia bought the Phoenix Suns and Mercury in February 2023 for a record $4 billion valuation, a deal that was supposed to usher in a new era of stability. Instead, he's found himself locked in a quiet but persistent power struggle with two minority owners, Sam Garvin and Jahm Najafi, who collectively hold about 13% of the team. Now, that dispute is heading to confidential binding mediation, a move that could finally see Ishbia consolidate his control.
Real talk: This isn't just about a few wealthy guys squabbling over percentages. It’s about who truly steers the ship for a franchise that’s been on a roller coaster. Since Ishbia took over, the Suns have been all-in, trading for Kevin Durant in February 2023, then bringing in Bradley Beal last summer. They finished the 2022-23 regular season 45-37, secured the fourth seed, and then flamed out against the Denver Nuggets in the second round, losing 4-2. This past season, despite having a "Big Three" that combined for nearly 70 points per game, they finished 49-33 and got swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. Big swings, little reward. You have to wonder how much of that aggressive strategy, and its mixed results, has played into the boardroom tension.
**The Price of Power**
Garvin and Najafi, along with venture capitalist Andy Jassy, were part of the ownership group under Robert Sarver. When Sarver was forced to sell after the NBA's investigation into workplace misconduct, Ishbia swooped in. While Jassy sold his stake to Ishbia, Garvin and Najafi held onto theirs. Reports surfaced last fall about friction, particularly concerning Ishbia’s management style and some of the financial demands tied to the team’s operating costs. It’s not hard to connect the dots: when you’re pushing big money, like the nearly $160 million in player salaries for the 2023-24 season, plus a luxury tax bill that approaches eight figures, everyone wants a say. Ishbia has repeatedly stated his desire to own 100% of the team, and this mediation feels like the final frontier in that quest.
My hot take? Ishbia *needs* to buy them out, even if it costs him a premium. The Suns have been plagued by internal drama for years, from the Sarver era to the constant coaching changes (Frank Vogel was the third coach in three seasons, and he lasted just one). You can’t build a consistent winner when there’s dissent in the owner’s box. If Garvin and Najafi truly believe their stake is undervalued, and Ishbia wants total autonomy, then a fair buyout price needs to be established. This isn't just about streamlining decision-making; it's about projecting a unified front, something the Suns organization has desperately lacked. The Suns have made the playoffs three out of the last four seasons, but only once reached the NBA Finals back in 2021. This team needs singularity of purpose, from the owner down to the ball boy.
The mediation is confidential, so we won't get a blow-by-blow. But the outcome will be binding. Ishbia will either pay a hefty sum to fully control his investment, or he’ll continue to operate with minority partners who clearly aren’t aligned with his vision. I'm betting this ends with Ishbia writing a very large check. He’s shown he’s not afraid to spend, and he’s not afraid to be aggressive. Expect him to emerge from this mediation with full control of the Phoenix Suns.