The NBA and Golden State Warriors have already banned Mark Stevens indefinitely for his actions towards Kyle Lowry but may have a harsher punishment in mind.
NBC News reporter Dylan Byers reported on Thursday that Stevens will likely be forced to sell his ownership shares in the Warriors prior to next season as punishment.
Multiple sources close to the Golden State Warriors tell me Mark Stevens, the minority owner who pushed Kyle Lowry, will likely be forced to sell his shares before the start of next season … #NBAFinals #KyleLowry
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) June 6, 2019
Stevens pushed Lowry as the Toronto Raptors guard dove into the stands to save a ball during Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday at Oracle Arena in Oakland. On top of that, Lowry says Stevens told him “go f— yourself” multiple times.
Lowry confirms that Stevens told him “go f—- yourself” multiple times.
“I think more should be done. He’s not a good look for ownership…He shouldn’t be part of our league.”
Lowry also says he knows Lacob etc are better than that.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) June 6, 2019
The incident and fact that the fan in question turned out to be a minority owner of the team has become the biggest talking point the day after the game. The league and team have taken action in support of Lowry, with everyone calling Stevens’ actions unacceptable.
The NBA has been serious about protecting players and taking measures to let fans know their conduct cannot cross a line with their behavior at games the way Stevens did. They also have forced an owner to sell in the past for unbecoming conduct, so there is precedent to force someone like Stevens to sell his shares for being a poor representative of the league.
