Hawks GM steps down after 10 months of leave for racial remarks
Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry stepped down officially Monday after being on indefinite leave for the past 10 months following the disclosure of racially insensitive remarks he made last June.
The Hawks announced the buyout on Monday, although the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported the deal had been approved on Friday.
On Saturday, the newspaper obtained copies of letters written to Ferry by the law firm Alston and Bird and from co-owner Todd Foreman clearing him of racial bias. Copies of those letters were attached to the formal announcement of the buyout.
During a June 6, 2014, conference call with team representatives, Ferry characterized Miami Heat free agent forward Luol Deng as a player who “has a little African in him.” Ferry added, “He’s like a guy who would have a nice store out front and sell you counterfeit stuff out of the back.”
Ferry maintained he was reading from a scouting report prepared by a third party.
On Monday, Ferry said he was relieved that the facts finally came out.
But does he feel vindicated?
“That’s not really for me to say,” he told the AJC. “The Taylor investigation included 19 interviews of Hawks owners and employees, and a review of 24,000 emails — including everyone I wrote and received as general manager.
“Both the Taylor investigation and a parallel but independent investigation by the NBA found no negative information about me and not a single incident where I exhibited racial bias during my tenure. Now, does that make my comments about Luol OK?
“Absolutely not. The words I used from the scouting report came out of my mouth and they were totally inappropriate. I am deeply sorry and take full responsibility.”
Coach Mike Budenholzer assumes the role of head of basketball operations while assistant general manager Wes Wilcox takes over for Ferry.
