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 The team did not reveal what steps it was taking, but Ferry, a
former NBA player who has been the Hawks' general manager since
2012, said he had no plans to resign. Ferry defended himself in a
statement on Tuesday, saying he was simply repeating words used in
the team's scouting reports.
The incident was the second of its kind involving the Hawks this
week. When the team launched the probe into Ferry's remarks, it also
uncovered an email written by majority owner Bruce Levenson that
discussed the lack of white fans at the team's home arena, Philips
Arena.
In disclosing on Sunday what he acknowledged was a racially
insensitive email, Levenson said he would sell his controlling
interest in the Hawks.
Levenson's announcement to sell the team came about four months
after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned then-Los Angeles Clippers
owner Donald Sterling from the league and fined him $2.5 million for
making racist remarks. The Clippers were subsequently sold to former
Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer for an NBA record $2
billion.
The Hawks launched the probe of Ferry after a June conference call
in which he said a potential free agent, Luol Deng, "has a little
African in him," according to Hawks' co-owner Michael Gearon Jr.,
who said he recorded the conversation.
"Not in a bad way, but he's like a guy who would have a nice store
out front but sell you counterfeit stuff out of the back," Ferry
said during the call in reference to Deng, who was born in what is
now South Sudan.
Deng issued a statement late Tuesday saying he's "proud to say I
actually have a lot of African in me, not just 'a little.'"
"For my entire life, my identity has been a source of pride and
strength," he said. "Among my family and friends, in my country of
South Sudan and across the broader continent of Africa, I can do no
greater privilege than to do what I love for a living while also
representing my heritage on the highest stage.
"Unfortunately, the comment about my heritage was not made with the
same respect and appreciation."
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Gearon included the quotes in a letter to Levenson that called for
Ferry's resignation. "If Ferry's comments are ever made public, and
it's a safe bet to say they will someday, it could be fatal to the
franchise," Gearon said in the letter.
During the conference call, Ferry described Deng, a 10-year NBA
veteran who played last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and has
now signed with the Miami Heat, as "a two-faced liar and cheat."
Ferry said in his statement: "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."
"Those words do not reflect my views, or words that I would use to
describe an individual and I certainly regret it."
Even so, Ferry apologized for his remarks during the conference call
and said he "reached out" to Deng on Monday.
Hall of Famer Magic Johnson said it was time for Ferry to look for
another job.
"Atlanta Hawks GM Danny Ferry should step down after making racist
statements about NBA player Luol Deng," he said in a tweet.
(Reporting by Steve Ginsburg in Washington; Editing by Peter Cooney
and Eric Walsh)
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