Suns owner Mat Ishbia expects Stephen A. Smith's apology for 'worst owner' remarks

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith sparked controversy by labeling Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia as potentially 'the worst owner in the history of basketball' after the team missed the playoffs and fired another head coach despite a high payroll. Smith's remarks drew criticism for comparing Ishbia to former owners Donald Sterling and Robert Sarver, both of whom were ousted for serious misconduct, a comparison many—including Ishbia and ESPN colleague Jay Williams—felt was unfair and inappropriate. Ishbia dismissed Smith's comments as sensationalist and predicted an apology, arguing that his tenure, while marked by team struggles and frequent coaching changes, does not warrant such extreme criticism. Williams echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Ishbia's issues are not on par with those of notorious former owners and questioning Smith's analysis as more performative than substantive. Smith later admitted it was unwise to compare Ishbia to Sterling, clarifying that his intent was only to critique basketball decisions, not personal character. The incident highlights ongoing debate about ownership accountability and the boundaries of sports commentary.