Hawks to be Sold After Revelation of Racist E-Mail by Owner

Please don't use children to make these illustrations. This kid is beyond 100% innocent.

 

That's from a few years ago, I'm sure he's got his own tribe by now..........

 

Fair enough. Since moving the stadium itself was mentioned (as in to a more affluent suburb in or outside Atlanta, like Auburn Hills from Detroit) we can agree to disagree on that point.

As far as Detroit fans being able to afford games, that may be true but I'm not sure. According to the data I've seen the Pistons have some of the most affordable ticket prices in the league.

Chicago SunTimes blog with very good data:

http://voices.suntimes.com/sports/i...e-true-price-of-attending-a-2013-14-nba-game/

Here's another one

http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/which-nba-teams-most-affordable/

According to this Census info, Auburn Hills has a median income of of 52,000+ and Atlanta has a median income of 49,000+

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26/2604105.html

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13000.html

I do agree, Auburn has much more white people and a higher median income than Detroit. But not that much more from Atlanta itself.

If the stadium were moved to a more affluent area in or outside Atlanta, like Auburn Hills with Detroit, it could possibly have better sales. I don't have enough detailed info for sure, but suggesting or not acknowledging that the Hawks can move their stadium I disagree with.

I do agree with the rest of those ideas about race though and you make good points.

 

Better than you doing your sister from behind in a run down trailer right ? :grin:

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. called for Hawks GM Danny Ferry to be fired in June. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATLHawks?src=hash">#ATLHawks</a></p>&mdash; Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) <a href="https://twitter.com/CVivlamoreAJC/status/509178425085407233">September 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Letter from source - In it Michael Gearon, minority owner, asks for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hawks?src=hash">#Hawks</a> GM Danny Ferry to be fired. <a href="http://t.co/mOG6AANWOx">http://t.co/mOG6AANWOx</a></p>&mdash; Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachKleinWSB/status/509178240502870017">September 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[rQUOTEr]ATLANTA — There is new controversy over a racially-charged email within the Atlanta Hawks organization.

Channel 2’s Sports Director Zach Klein obtained 2-page letter from June 12 sent from Hawks minority owner Michael Gearon to Bruce Levenson.

In the letter, Gearon is quoted as saying “We are calling on you, as majority owner and NBA governor, to take swift and severe action against general manager Danny Ferry. Our advisors tell us there is no other choice to ask for Ferry's resignation and if he refuses, to terminate him for cause under his employment contract.”

It was letter that started an internal investigation that eventually revealed the 2012 email from Leveson and the inappropriate and offense comments regarding African-Americans who attend games at Philips Arena.

Gearon wrote the letter after Ferry, on a conference call with management and ownership, described free agent target Luol Deng “he has a little African in him, not in a bad way, but he's a guy who would have a nice store out front, but sell you counterfeit stuff out of the back.”

Levenson said he voluntarily reported the email in July to the NBA, which pressured Clippers owner Donald Sterling to sell his team after he was recorded making racially charged comments. Steve Ballmer became the team's new owner Aug. 12.

"We've had continuing discussions with the league office about the incidents of disturbing statements attributed to representatives of the Atlanta Hawks' franchise," said Ron Klempner, acting executive director of the NBPA. "We recognize that there is an ongoing investigation regarding the circumstances, and we will continue to monitor these events and take any action we deem appropriate."[/rQUOTEr]

http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/news/documents/2014/09/08/Gearon_letter.pdf

 

Damn, if the GM is getting fired then maybe this really will lead to a roster shake up.

 

Lol "Not in a Bad Way" "But"

Always funny when people do that

 

Georon called Deng an "African-American." lols. Dude's a co-owner of an NBA team and doesn't know Deng is "African-English," nor has people proofing such an important letter who know that either.

 

It just got real!

I'm curious to know what personal issue that Ferry has with Luol Deng to imply that he's a liar and a cheat.

 

Whoops.

 

i really wish this stuff would just...

...stop.

 

So does this mean an opportunity to land Paul Millsap?

 

There is no "African-English", they're called "English"

 

[rQUOTEr]The following statement was released by Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry:

“In regards to the insensitive remarks that were used during our due diligence process, I was repeating comments that were gathered from numerous sources during background conversations and scouting about different players. I repeated those comments during a telephone conversation reviewing the draft and free agency process. Those words do not reflect my views, or words that I would use to describe an individual and I certainly regret it. I apologize to those I offended and to Luol, who I reached out to Monday morning.

In terms of the email that Bruce sent, the situation is disturbing and disappointing on many levels and I understand Bruce's words were offensive.

I am committed to learning from this and deeply regret this situation. I fully understand we have work to do in order to help us create a better organization; one that our players and fans will be proud of, on and off the court, and that is where my focus is moving forward.”[/rQUOTEr]


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Danny Ferry has no plans to resign as GM. <a href="http://t.co/kjZR9u82YT">http://t.co/kjZR9u82YT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATLHawks?src=hash">#ATLHawks</a></p>&mdash; Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) <a href="https://twitter.com/CVivlamoreAJC/status/509316669991182338">September 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>At this moment, per source involved in the process, the Hawks have no plans to further discipline GM Danny Ferry.</p>&mdash; David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/daldridgetnt/status/509317765929644032">September 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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There was an Italian-American comedian from New York City (can't remember his name, obviously) who joked about this phenomenon, giving an example:

"Hey, Lenny. I gotta tell ya. Your sister's a slut. (pause) Hey, I don't mean that in a bad way."

And Danny Ferry? Unbelievable idiot. Just an unbelievable idiot. What he said is bad enough, but that he said it in a conference call? In the 2014 Donald Sterling NBA Atmosphere?

Maybe proof positive that racists don't know they're racists. Kinda like that uncle or uncle's friend who tells the joke that would have got a guffaw or two back in 1971 but now just elicits a nonplussed expression: "Didn't I see you frozen in ice at the History Museum?"

Here, Danny Ferry, let me help you out:

http://www.careerbuilder.com

 

May I be of some assistance here?

I get Heypartner's point, although the term "African-English" may not be accurate, there are other terms used to refer to British citizens of Black/African descent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_British

Spoiler

 

I can now see why they opened an internal investigation. Whoever made that report needs to be fired if an employee, or never consulted with again if independent.

Danny Ferry is pretty stupid to have repeated those comments in a context not concerning actions against that particular scout.

 

I'm pretty sure everyone knows the Brits don't use the PC term "African-English" like we do, but rather make fun of us. I guess my joke wasn't clear enough. Next time I'll call Deng a Brit, and watch people jump in to announce he's Sudanese, like they do with Giannis and his heritage vs calling him Greek.

Maybe it's because the Brits are racist, and make all immigrants drop their heritage before being accepted into the Kingdom.

 

I've always wonder which is more racist, being "color blind" or recognizing the differences of races? It used to be the latter. But nowadays, it seems to have shifted to the former in the so-called celebrating diversity movement.