Sunday revealed yet another sordid tale in the ranks of NBA ownership, as Atlanta Hawks majority owner Bruce Levenson was revealed to have sent a racially insensitive email to the Hawks’ executives two years ago.
Soaring Down South
In the post-Donald Sterling NBA, this sort of thing just isn’t going to fly, and transgressions that might have simply warranted a fine or suspension in the past will now be met with the harshest of discipline.
Obviously knowing this, Levenson has stated he intends to sell his share of the Hawks, meaning the already dysfunctional Atlanta Spirit Group (the group of investors who own the Hawks) will now more than likely be broken up and replaced.
While new ownership is something that most Hawks fans have been clamoring for since the team was sold by Time-Warner to the ASG in 2005, at this point it may be too late to save what has been a struggling and confusing franchise to follow.
Things were beginning to look up for the Hawks. With Danny Ferry working hard to rebuild the roster, and having unloaded some of the wasteful contracts and mid-line talent, there was a feeling among fans in Atlanta that at last the Hawks had turned the corner and were on their way to finally building towards a championship.
But the Hawks were simply not in a position for these types of shenanigans to go on. The Los Angeles Clippers were on the verge of being a championship team, with a championship coach when the Donald Sterling commentary was revealed. The Hawks are a team struggling for identity and strength in the midst of a rebuilding process…again.
Atlanta has never been a “destination” for NBA players, and with these latest issues, that reputation has been further damaged. Even new ownership (group or individual) is going to have an uphill climb in getting marquee players to sign here and to generate fan interest.
Is it too late? Are the Hawks done in Atlanta?
Being an Atlantan and hearing the constant barrage of negative commentary about fans in this city, it pains me to say this, but in this case it might be for the best.
For those Hawks fans who are reading this and picking their lower jaws up from the floor, just hear me out.
There are failures, and then there are epic failures, and this latest chapter may have moved the Atlanta Hawks franchise into the category of the latter.
The Hawks have been in Atlanta for 47 years, and not once have they ever advanced past the second round of the playoffs. They have had opportunities to become dynasty-like, but squandered them in bad trades and ridiculous contracts. The Hawks have qualified for the playoffs every season since 2007-08, and yet still rank near the bottom of the NBA in attendance.
These are not the earmarks of a franchise that is going to be successful in its current location, or of a fan base that is truly supportive of their team.
I realize there are fans out there who will be indignant, stating that they support their Hawks through thick and thin, and have for years.
While I commend you for your loyalty and give you props for patience, the fact is there simply aren’t enough of you. Philips arena only manages to get near capacity when the visiting team has a fan-favorite on their squad (yes, even Atlanta fans turn out to see LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin), and the always contentious relationship between team and fans in Atlanta is evident at every turn.
Yes, it would be sad to see the Hawks go, it always is when a team exits a city where it has resided for nearly half a century. But is there anyone who really believes that a franchise as fragile as the Hawks is going to survive the media and social firestorm that is inevitably going to come as more and more details of this situation come to light?
No, it’s not likely. Not likely at all.
Seattle has been begging for a return to the NBA. They’re a city who supported and loved their team, and lost it by no fault of their own, other than the financial mismanagement of city officials and the franchise owner. But the fans in that city turned out to see the Sonics, and still want to.
Perhaps the best thing for all would be to load up the semi-trailers and head out to the Pacific Northwest, demolish Philips arena and pour concrete over any memories of it, and direct Hawks fans desperate for a team to the Braves, Falcons and whatever the soon-to-arrive Atlanta MLS franchise will be named.
As the old saying goes, fish or cut bait, and Atlanta has fished for far too long with this NBA team and it’s time to just cut the line and call it a day.