NBA team Phoenix Suns vice chairman Jahm Najafi has called on team owner Robert Sarver to step down.
Sarver was banned by the National Basketball Association for a year on Tuesday and fined $10 million for years of making racist and sexist comments and treating basketball team members unprofessionally been.
Many players in the league find this punishment too mild.
NBA superstar LeBron James also complained publicly.
Najafi wrote in an open letter on Thursday that he could not sit back and allow children and future generations of fans to think that Sarver's behavior was being tolerated because of his wealth and privilege.
NBA chief defends penalty
"So, and consistent with my commitment to helping eradicate all forms of racism, sexism and prejudice, I, as Executive Vice President of the Phoenix Suns, call on Robert Sarver to resign," Najafi wrote.
NBA boss Adam Silver described Sarver's punishment on Wednesday as harsh but appropriate and pointed out that he knew more about the results of the investigation than the general public.
He also emphasized that there are high constitutional hurdles in the United States for taking someone's property - and Sarver, who owns the WNBA team Phoenix Mercury in addition to the Suns, is not an employee or managing director.
Superstar LeBron James took to Twitter and criticized Sarver's punishment.
"There is no place in our league for such behavior," James wrote.
"It makes no difference whether you play for a team or own it."
Sarver acquired the Suns in 2004 for $401 million.
The franchise is now worth an estimated $1.55 billion.