ATLANTA (AP) – The Atlanta Hawks have announced that Danny Ferry has stepped down as general manager of the team, ending an indefinite leave of absence that began in August following racially derogatory comments Ferry made.
Hawks CEO Steve Koonin credited Ferry for helping build the Hawks team that reached the Eastern Conference finals in a statement Monday announcing the move, but added it is time. The Associated Press reported Friday that Ferry and the Hawks had reached a buyout of the final two years of his contract.
“This season has proved two things,” Koonin said. “First, Danny Ferry is a tremendous GM. Danny was the principal architect of the Hawks’ success in Atlanta. … Second, Danny Ferry is not a racist. Danny showed great leadership in stepping aside in the fall so the season could proceed with as few distractions as possible.”
Koonin added now that the team has identified new ownership, “the resolution of Danny’s contract with existing ownership is appropriate.”
Ferry, 48, hadn’t commented publicly since going on indefinite leave following comments about then-free agent Loul Deng, but said in the Hawks’ release that while the year has been “incredibly difficult and humbling, it is critical for me to clear my name and for people to realize that I have always built a culture of respect, diversity, and honesty.”
The Hawks said in the announcement that the organization hired a law firm, Alston & Bird LLP, and specifically a team led by senior partner Bernard Taylor, to investigate whether Ferry’s remarks were racially motivated.
The release said the law firm “made clear that the offensive language was not Ferry’s and none of Ferry’s remarks or behavior during the call were motivated by racial or ethnic animus, or by a person’s country of origin. To the contrary, Ferry shared his own opinion of Luol, recommended him both personally and professionally and ultimately tried to sign him to the team. The investigation revealed no other negative information on Ferry.”
Ferry added in his statement that, “Now that the key facts have been made known, I am making the difficult decision to step away from this team and this special group of players. I have seen how gracious and forgiving people can be – especially Luol, who had every right to be hurt and angry after being brought into this situation. I thank him for his forgiveness and support. I also greatly appreciate that our players and coaches have been supportive, along with so many friends, old and new.”
Ferry signed a $18 million, six-year contract when he was hired from San Antonio in 2012. He hired Mike Budenholzer, a former Spurs assistant, two years ago.
Ferry landed in trouble for making inflammatory comments about Deng in a conference call with the Hawks’ ownership group. Ferry referred to comments in a scouting report when he described Deng as someone who “has a little African in him.”
“He’s like a guy who would have a nice store out front,” Ferry said, “and sell you counterfeit stuff out of the back.”
Deng, who is from South Sudan, signed instead with the Miami Heat.