Hawks apologize in open letter after racial remarks
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks have released an open letter of apology to the team, fans and city of Atlanta, saying the organization “did not do the right thing” to correct racially inflammatory words and innuendos.
The apology, signed by CEO Steve Koonin, was released on Saturday, one day after the team announced general manager Danny Ferry was taking an indefinite leave of absence following his racially charged comments about Luol Deng.
On Sunday, co-owner Bruce Levenson announced he will sell his controlling share of the team following the release of his racially inflammatory comments in an email to Ferry and the team’s other owners.
Koonin says the Hawks “must own these shortcomings and failures.” He says the team will work with a diversity consultant and hire a chief diversity officer.