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Danny Ferry News: Going On Indefinite Leave From Atlanta Hawks

By Michael Dunlap

May 29, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry introduces Mike Budenholzer as the new head coach during a press conference at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry introduces Mike Budenholzer as the new head coach during a press conference at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports /
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We knew it was just a matter of time before the Atlanta Hawks and Danny Ferry began the ugly separation that is sure to come. The Hawks released a statement by CEO Steve Koonin that addressed the situation and the reason for Ferry’s indefinite leave (here is the release in it’s entirety):

"This afternoon, Danny Ferry requested, and I have approved, taking an indefinite leave of absence, effective immediately. This has been an incredibly difficult time for him and his family and it is my hope that this time away from the Hawks organization allows him the privacy he needs to listen to the community, to learn about his mistakes, and to begin the long process of personal healing. As a human being, manager and friend, I wish him well as he undergoes this process.While the issues related to race are deeply troubling, at the heart of this dispute is an unfortunate disagreement amongst owners. That said, we have taken several steps to address what we can do as an organization to be better and stronger, including working with a diversity consultant to examine us and to train us to ensure something like this never happens again, we are committed to hiring a Chief Diversity Officer, and we have and will continue to meet with community leaders in an ongoing way to ensure our values reflect the community in which we play and work. The process of selling the team, which is to remain in Atlanta, is already underway.Effective immediately, our Head Coach, Mike Budenholzer, will assume oversight of the basketball operations department. He will report directly to me.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. We should build bridges through basketball, not divide our community or serve as a source of pain."

As Koonin eludes to, this is just the beginning of what is sure to be an ugly breakup. We can only hope that this incident has been kept between Ferry and soon-to-be former owner Bruce Levenson.

The worst-case scenario here is that the Hawks (and the city of Atlanta) become so disenfranchised with the organization that they end up moving out of the city. The Seattle area has been pining for a franchise ever since the SuperSonics left for Oklahoma City, but let’s hope that it doesn’t have to get that far.

There’s no question that this incident has hurt the team and the city of Atlanta, but let’s hope it doesn’t have to hurt the fans any more than it already has. Here’s to hoping NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the rest of the league’s owners do everything they can to rectify the situation quickly, without the collateral damage of hurting the team and its fans.

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