Pay per head sportsbook sources report that the Atlanta Hawks have reached a buyout agreement with general manager Danny Ferry. They have ascended Mike Budenholzer to head of basketball operations under the title team president. The Hawks also ascended Wes Wilcox from assistant general manager to general manager, on Thursday.
The Hawks’ board of managers will make a conference call on Friday morning for the approval of Ferry’s buyout. Per league sources and price per head provider Ferry’ buyout will include a greater amount then what is currently stipulated on his contract which has 3 years remaining. The current Hawks regime will assume the responsibility for the cost of the buyout.
It is believed that Wilcox impressed in his hour long presentation, on what would be the Hawks strategic plan moving forward. Ownership also holds coach Budenholzer in high regard and a top asset to the franchise after his current success with the team.
Mike Budenholzer is now part of a select group which holds both title as coach and top basketball executive, Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs, Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers, Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons and Flip Saunders of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Danny Ferry took a leave of absence on Sep. 12th after a recording of him insulting then free agent Luol Deng, were made public. Ferry has maintained he was reading from a scouting report which characterized Deng as a player who “has a little African in him,” and added, “He’s like a guy who would have a nice store out front and sell you counterfeit stuff out of the back.” Since Ferry’s departure, Budenholzer has taken over and has done an excellent job due to the circumstance. The Atlanta Hawks had a wonderful season under his tutelage can go long way.
Days after Ferry’s recording became public an e-mail of then owner Bruce Levenson surfaced. This e-mail from 2012 was expressing concern that large numbers of African-American spectators at Hawks games were driving away more affluent, middle-aged white suburban fans.
“My theory is that the black crowd scared away the whites and there are simply not enough affluent black fans to build a significant season ticket base,” Levenson wrote.
Due to all the turmoil, Levenson and his Washington-based partners decide to put the Hawks up for sale. Levenson has not spoken about the incident.
