The NBA commissioner and the president of the United States will resign after a tumultuous week that culminated with President Donald Trump’s announcement that the league had fired longtime commissioner Adam Silver, who had been the league’s top official.
The NBA said Monday it had decided to suspend Silver for five games, to be followed by a suspension for five days.
“I have decided that, to prevent the distraction of litigation, I will not have Adam Silver continue in my position as commissioner, effective immediately,” commissioner Adam Scott said in a statement.
“In the coming days and weeks, I intend to conduct my investigation to determine the facts surrounding the events that transpired this week.”
Silver, 55, had been commissioner for 18 years.
A few days earlier, Trump had accused Silver of being an “anti-American” and “anti sportsman,” after Silver was widely criticized for his handling of the deaths of two U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.
Trump called for the resignation of Silver in a series of tweets that were later deleted.
Scott said Silver “was not a good commissioner” and that he “failed the league.”
“He has consistently been the subject of unfair criticism and disparaging remarks and actions, including derogatory remarks about his character and political views,” Scott said.
Silver will not be allowed to work in the NBA for five more games, the NBA said.
The resignation is a surprise to most NBA players and league executives.
The league’s players’ association has said it will not negotiate directly with the NBA, but would be willing to discuss how the league can improve its handling of player injuries.