Atlanta Hawks GM Danny Ferry is taking a mandatory vacation following the revelation of racist remarks he made in July concerning then-free agent forward Luol Deng. Today, Hawks CEO Steve Koonin announced the move, and also outlined the team's commitment to the Atlanta community, as well as their dedication to ensuring a diverse and inclusive team environment.
"I am deeply saddened and embarrassed that this has put a blemish on our team and our city, which has always been a diverse community with a history of coming together as one," wrote Koonin. "We should build bridges through basketball, not divide our community or serve as a source of pain."
Koonin also announced that the team will be hiring a Chief Diversity Officer to ensure that a fiasco like this never takes place again. His full statement can be read below.
In Ferry's absence, head coach Mike Budenholzer will handle basketball operations for the team. Ferry—once the GM for the Cleveland Cavaliers and formerly an assistant in San Antonio's front office—will begin his indefinite leave of absence immediately. Majority owner Bruce Levenson is on his way out as well. Best of luck to the Atlanta Hawks as they try to right the ship amidst this unbearable shitstorm.
