Fansided

Atlanta Hawks owner selling team after racist e-mail from 2012

By Mike Dyce

May 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of center court before the Atlanta Hawks starters are introduced before their game against the Indiana Pacers in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Indiana Pacers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 95-88. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of center court before the Atlanta Hawks starters are introduced before their game against the Indiana Pacers in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Indiana Pacers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 95-88. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was basically forced into selling the team after a recording of him making racist comments was released. Sterling was given a lifetime ban by NBA commissioner Adam Silver. Sterling fought the sale but eventually it was a done deal and the Clippers became former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s team. It looks like we’re about to witness another NBA owner sell his team because of racist comments. This time it involves the Atlanta Hawks and owner Bruce Levenson, who reportedly made racist comments in a 2012 e-mail. NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that a sale would happen, and that Levenson agreed.

Levenson followed it up with a statement (or you can read it in its entirety here at this link):

Here is the full release:

Here is the reported e-mail:

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