Hawks scandal opens team to local ownership

[HawkItus]

Hawks scandal opens team to local ownership

SUBSCRIBER CONTENT: Sep 12, 2014, 6:00am EDT

 

Maria Saporta and Douglas Sams Atlanta Business Chronicle

Out of conflict comes opportunity.

 

That was the way several key local leaders saw the controversy involving the owners and executives of the Atlanta Hawks.

 

The Sept. 7 disclosure of a racially charged email from majority owner Bruce Levenson and the derogatory statements made by Hawks General Manager Danny Ferry about free agent Luol Deng offer yet another turning point for a franchise that’s about to begin its 67th season having won fewer than half of the games it’s ever played.

 

The turmoil will likely end with the Atlanta Hawks once again becoming a locally owned team with stronger community ties and a heightened sense of racial awareness. It’s befitting of a franchise whose home is the city that birthed the Civil Rights Movement more than 50 years ago.

 

“This is something that at the end of the day could turn out to be really good for the city,” said Bob Hope, an Atlanta public relations veteran who worked with Ted Turner when he owned the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Braves. “Local ownership stabilizes a team.”

 

The ownership of the Atlanta Hawks has been dysfunctional for years.

 

In 2003, Turner Broadcasting System Inc. signed a binding agreement to sell the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers and operating rights to Philips Arena to Atlanta Spirit LLC.

 

Initially Atlanta Spirit’s ownership group represented three distinct geographical areas — Boston, Washington, D.C., including the Baltimore area, and Atlanta.

 

When the Boston owner — Steve Belkin — split off from the Atlanta Spirit after a contentious legal battle, that left two geographic teams. At that time, the majority interest of the team belonged to Levenson and his partners in the Washington, D.C., area.

 

Now Levenson will have to sell his interest in the team following the disclosure of the email that he sent, and it is likely that his partners in the Baltimore area also will have to sell their interest in the team.

 

That will leave the three Atlanta owners at the table: Michael Gearon Jr. and his father, Michael Gearon Sr., as well as Rutherford Seydel, the son-in-law of Ted Turner.

 

As of press time on Sept. 10, it appeared that Gearon Jr. will be the key owner setting the tone for the team going forward. He likely will be the Hawks’ representative on the NBA Board of Governors, and it is expected that he will be increasing his ownership share of the Hawks.

 

But the situation also leaves open the probability of new owners investing in the team. According to people close to the team, there is a desire to have some African-American ownership in the team and to increase the Atlanta ownership stake.

 

“If you look at the Tyler Perrys of the world, you have got a lot of options in Atlanta,” Hope said. “With all the entertainers that are here – Dallas Austin, Usher and others – it could be a lot of fun.”

 

Hope said it would make Atlanta even more like Los Angeles and Hollywood where movie stars and top entertainers are frequently seen at LA Lakers’ games.

 

Some of the potential African-American leaders who potentially could buy a piece of the Hawks include Atlanta movie mogul Tyler Perry, perhaps working in partnership with media star Oprah Winfrey.

 

Others include movie producer Will Packer, an Atlanta resident who has put together several successful film projects. He is considered to be one of Hollywood’s hit makers with five of his films opening at No. 1 at the box office.

 

Music producers and entertainers Ludacris, Usher and CeeLo Green also are possibilities. Bernard Bronner of Bronner Brothers could also be someone who would be interested.

 

Two basketball players have been mentioned – Dominique Wilkins and Dikembe Mutombo.

 

The construction industry also has been lucrative for Atlanta black business leaders Herman Russell and Dave Moody. Retired United Parcel Service Inc. executive Cal Darden also could be a candidate.

 

Doug Shipman, president and CEO of the recently opened Center for Civil and Human Rights, also said the changes at the Atlanta Hawks represent an opportunity for the city.

 

“Atlanta has in its history having the tools and capacity to address the ongoing conversation of who we are and who we want to be,” Shipman said. “This situation highlights how we continue to grapple with this question [of race] as our community and our country continue to evolve.”

 

Shipman also said that the Hawks probably would be well-served to have team ownership that better reflected the population of Atlanta.

 

“Any institution is always strengthened when it’s local and reflects the diversity that exists in Atlanta,” Shipman said, adding that the Civil Rights Center has been tackling many of these issues.

 

Atlanta businessman Tommy Dortch, a leader in the African-American community and a close friend of Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins, said it is ironic that a controversy with so many racial overtones is being associated with an Atlanta team.

 

“Look at what Atlanta has done. Look at the leadership we’ve had,” said Dortch, who was a Hawks season-ticket holder for 33 years until last year. “Atlanta’s leadership has been one of inclusion. Inclusion has made our city what it is.”

 

Dortch said the city’s professional sports teams should be bringing the community together, not creating more divisiveness.

 

It was not lost on Dortch that the racially charged comments came from people who were not from Atlanta — Levenson and Ferry.

 

“You have got to have somebody who understands the community,” Dortch said. “I don’t think the other owners really understood Atlanta. Bruce Levenson was not from Atlanta.”

 

By comparison, Dortch had nothing but positive things to say about the Atlanta owners — Gearon Jr., Gearon Sr. and Seydel, who he credited for helping expose the problems within the organization. Dortch has been trying to get a statue constructed in honor of Wilkins for two years, but said he kept running into “roadblocks” set up by those in charge, namely Levenson and Ferry.

 

In that same vein, Chris Clark, president of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, said he thought the recent hiring of Steve Koonin, who is from Atlanta, to be the team’s CEO was a good move.

 

“The Atlanta Hawks play an important part in the region and state’s growing sports and entertainment economy,” Clark said. “Steve Koonin is the right guy to lead the team, their fans and the region through this difficult period with a focus on the how we become a better community.”

 

Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young remembered how the community came together to build the Georgia Dome more than 20 years ago.

 

“Everybody chipped in,” said Young, remembering how local companies bought suites and club seats to make the Dome and the Atlanta Falcons a success. “The idea is that this is a community effort.”

 

That said, Young was uncomfortable with the racial tone of the Hawks controversy, saying that Ferry could not have played basketball at Duke University without being sensitive to racial issues.

 

“I think they are making too much of the race issue,” said Young, a civil rights leader who worked side-by-side with Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s. ”It’s clear that to win in basketball, you have to be a team, and the team is not just the team on the court. It is the team ownership. It’s the community.”

 

For the Hawks to succeed going forward, Young said the team will have to reignite that community spirit.

 

“I just wish we could keep race out of it and put emphasis on team building – both on the basketball court and in the executive suites,” Young said. “The emphasis has got to be on creating a team spirit. Every company needs to buy season tickets and make them available to their employees.”

 

It is still too early to see who will emerge as the new partners in the Atlanta Hawks. But as Young said, “It has got to be a community team.” 

 

 

Edited September 12, 2014 by Dolfan23
Fixed formatting

[AHF]

As of press time on Sept. 10, it appeared that Gearon Jr. will be the key owner setting the tone for the team going forward. He likely will be the Hawks’ representative on the NBA Board of Governors, and it is expected that he will be increasing his ownership share of the Hawks.

 

 

[lethalweapon3]

Good to see a variety of local perspectives in the ABC piece. I particularly appreciate Maria Saporta's long-running journalistic work in this town.

 

~lw3

[macdaddy]

I've also heard that the NBA is furious with Gearon for blowing this thing up so I would think the league would be pushing for someone else to be majority owner.   I'll see if i can find a link to that.   The hits just keep coming

[Twinblade]

 

 

It was Gearon's plan from the start. Take out his competition.

[OldTimeHawk]

local ownership is great - if the local ownership is qualified , community oriented, and committed to making Atlanta a winner.  What he saying made a lot of sense until I he praised Gearon, then I knew he was FOS .   I think we need to find qualified local people regardless of color  that have the business savvy and skills to make the Hawks first class.  Andrew Young nailed it .

[Admin]

I honestly think I'd stop following the Hawks if Gearon were to become majority owner and the team governor. Until he's either gone or in a massively reduced role, I won't support this team. 

[AHF]

If I were Levenson, I sure as #$*# wouldn't sell my share to Gearon that is for sure.  I can't imagine why he would after Gearon dragged everyone through the mud to get his way.

[Admin]

If I were Levenson, I sure as #$*# wouldn't sell my share to Gearon that is for sure.  I can't imagine why he would after Gearon dragged everyone through the mud to get his way.

 

What about pesky pole? Is he planning to keep his shares or sell as well? I wonder what his feelings of Gearon are. 

[Guest]

Al Sharpton tells TMZ Sports ... he's been a part of discussions with NBA Commish Adam Silver on how to handle the situation with racist Atlanta Hawks owner Bruce Levenson. Sharpton -- who previously sat down with Adam Silver in the middle of the Donald Sterling crisis -- tells us, "In the discussions we've been having with the Commissioner, they said they were gonna vet everyone out [before allowing a sale of the team]." TMZ.com - See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm#sthash.xj2f0pOZ.dpuf

[Admin]

Oh God not Al Sharpton. I guess Jesse will be next to overreact to this. Why can't these trolls just go away for good!!

[PSSSHHHRRR87]

I honestly think I'd stop following the Hawks if Gearon were to become majority owner and the team governor. Until he's either gone or in a massively reduced role, I won't support this team. 

 

I could never completely put down my Hawks, but I'd throw them on the back burner for the Pistons and Grizz if Gearon was made the controlling owner of the Hawks.  I'd become a silent supporter.

[Wretch]

“If you look at the Tyler Perrys of the world, you have got a lot of options in Atlanta,” Hope said. “With all the entertainers that are here – Dallas Austin, Usher and others – it could be a lot of fun.”

 

Hope said it would make Atlanta even more like Los Angeles and Hollywood where movie stars and top entertainers are frequently seen at LA Lakers’ games.

 

^^For all the people that don't think Atlanta is a good market...this is exactly what would happen with the right CONTENDING team.  That's what these guys don't understand.  Imagine a Big 3 in Atlanta...playing in the ECF's or finals, dueling it out with the best of the NBA in prime time on national TV.  It would be pandemonium.

 

“You have got to have somebody who understands the community,” Dortch said. “I don’t think the other owners really understood Atlanta. Bruce Levenson was not from Atlanta.”

 

This is the damn problem....and Levenson picked Danny Ferry for the job.  People just don't get it man...

 

 

Dortch has been trying to get a statue constructed in honor of Wilkins for two years, but said he kept running into “roadblocks” set up by those in charge, namely Levenson and Ferry.

 

So...nobody wants to touch on this? (Waits for the apologists...)

Edited September 12, 2014 by Wretch

[Admin]

^^For all the people that don't think Atlanta is a good market...this is exactly what would happen with the right CONTENDING team. That's what these guys don't understand. Imagine a Big 3 in Atlanta...playing in the ECF's or finals, dueling it out with the best of the NBA in prime time on national TV. It would be pandemonium.

So...nobody wants to touch on this? (Waits for the apologists...)

I missed that about the statue. Man it's just impossible to defend these guys or maintain the hope that this is a one off thing when you hear stuff like this. You don't disrespect Nique in Atlanta and get to survive!

[Admin]

I could never completely put down my Hawks, but I'd throw them on the back burner for the Pistons and Grizz if Gearon was made the controlling owner of the Hawks. I'd become a silent supporter.

I wouldn't go to another team but I'd stop actively following them until he was removed.

#praying4newownership

[OldTimeHawk]

Al Sharpton tells TMZ Sports ... he's been a part of discussions with NBA Commish Adam Silver on how to handle the situation with racist Atlanta Hawks owner Bruce Levenson. Sharpton -- who previously sat down with Adam Silver in the middle of the Donald Sterling crisis -- tells us, "In the discussions we've been having with the Commissioner, they said they were gonna vet everyone out [before allowing a sale of the team]." TMZ.com - See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm#sthash.xj2f0pOZ.dpuf

why anyone would give that racist pos a forum to vent his opinions is beyond me - his anti semantic comments and race baiting  make Ferry comment seem like he was heaping praise on Deng.  Can anyone explain how this pos has any standing whatsoever as a leader of anything ???

[tonegully]

Im black. Al Sharpton doesnt speak for me or on my behalf.

 

BUT ILL BE DAMMED IF THEY DISRESPECT NIQUE. You can talk about anyone you want not NIQUE. HELL NO!!!! I draw the line there buddy.

Edited September 12, 2014 by tonegully

[Admin]

Im black. Al Sharpton doesnt speak for me or on my behalf.

 

BUT ILL BE DAMMED IF THEY DISRESPECT NIQUE. You can talk about anyone you want not NIQUE. HELL NO!!!! I draw the line there buddy.

 

But you're okay with them putting down Ryan Cameron? Man that's not cool @tonegully! 

[tonegully]

But you're okay with them putting down Ryan Cameron? Man that's not cool @tonegully! 

I cant tolerate everything except Nique. I dont care about Ryan Cameron TBH. They should have a comment in there about that freaking organ still being played in Phillips,  but Sir Foster was throwing down on it tho

[Admin]

I cant tolerate everything except Nique. I dont care about Ryan Cameron TBH. They should have a comment in there about that freaking organ still being played in Phillips,  but Sir Foster was throwing down on it tho

 

What the what?? I've heard some crazy things in my life, but I can't believe I'd ever hear a Hawks fan say something like that.