PHOENIX – On Friday, an attack by the former general manager of the Phoenix Suns, Ryan McDonough, on Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio backfired when it turned out his logic was tragically flawed. McDonough, who was fired from his post with the Suns in 2018, accused DiCiccio of taking bribes from Suns’ owner Robert Sarver.
The only thing worse than a crooked, racist politician who takes money to vote a certain way is a crooked, racist politician who STILL takes the money but DOES NOT vote that way… ?
And before you reply, @Sal_DiCiccio, remember this – I was there – and I ‘have receipts’… ? https://t.co/fnP80WIsAQ
— Ryan McDonough (@McDNBA) August 28, 2020
Soon after the accusation was made on Twitter, both Sarver and DiCiccio denied the claim made by befuddled McDonough. DiCiccio also called for an investigation into the allegation:
The general manager of the Phoenix Suns is now saying that I took a bribe. NEVER HAPPENED. I have called for the City Attorney to immediately begin a formal investigation to look into these allegations. Obviously, one of us is lying and the investigation will show who that is. pic.twitter.com/H03d2nFQQH
— Sal DiCiccio (@Sal_DiCiccio) August 28, 2020
McDonough, the son of the late Boston Globe columnist writer, “Will the Shill” McDonough, and brother of current Arizona Cardinals vice president of player personnel Terry McDonough, then revealed that “the receipts” actually were campaign contributions from Sarver to the fiscally conservative DiCiccio:
…that you took (legal) money from individuals associated with the @Suns in the past and THEN voted AGAINST the arena. Then you showed up at the groundbreaking for a ‘photo op’… and THEN you TRASHED the Suns players.
I mean, this is you, right?? ??https://t.co/uIRE6jOTTj pic.twitter.com/YJN0Vvf5or
— Ryan McDonough (@McDNBA) August 28, 2020
The ugly episode began when McDonough took offense to a tweet by DiCiccio in which the Councilman bashed the “whiny bitches” of the NBA:
Looks like 2020 is making a huge turnaround. I really hope these guys follow through with this easy layup so we don’t have to listen to any more whiny bitches @NBA #NBABoycott https://t.co/f57x6BiTmU
— Sal DiCiccio (@Sal_DiCiccio) August 27, 2020
DiCiccio has called for an apology from McDonough:
Ryan McDonough needs to apologize to me and the entire City of Phoenix for making these baseless accusations.
Backpedaling is not good enough, I’d rather just go forward with the investigation at this point. His choice. https://t.co/3ZBfs86Kr7
— Sal DiCiccio (@Sal_DiCiccio) August 28, 2020
As noted by political consultant Constantin “CQ” Querard McDonough has not established a positive reputation in Arizona:
Any investigation needs to also look at any councilmembers who voted yes. McDonaugh is clearly implying payments for outcomes. Did any of them take Suns cash? Or he could just apologize & admit he made it all up just to smear Sal. Not like his reputation could get worse in PHX. https://t.co/H22Sedgd2c
— Constantin Querard (@CQuerard) August 29, 2020
McDonough’s tenure with the Suns has been described as “a rollercoaster ride.” He was accused of failing “to learn from his mistakes and had blinders on.”
“McDonough not only missed the playoffs all five seasons while in Phoenix,” wrote Jim Coughenour at the time, “but is responsible for three of the four worst loss totals in franchise history. He not only failed to produce timely results, but he turned one of the most respected franchises in the league into a comedy of absurdities.”
McDonough’s latest comedy of absurdities was summed up by DiCiccio’s chief of staff Sam Stone:
Thank you, @McDNBA
Appreciate you putting to bed years of accusations by @Sal_DiCiccio‘s opponents that he can be bought with campaign dollars https://t.co/y1yHMwpZaL
— Samuel Stone (@SamThePol) August 28, 2020
DiCiccio is now asking the public for help with his call for an investigation:
I really need your help to begin the investigation from this ex mgr of the Suns claiming that Robert Sarver and the entire Phoenix Suns organization bribed elected officials.
This is a link to file an online complaint with the AG. PLEASE HELPhttps://t.co/eZfJE4JwKQ— Sal DiCiccio (@Sal_DiCiccio) August 29, 2020