In the wake of information attributing racially insensitive remarks directed at Luol Deng and an unflattering comment about the play of New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony, Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry has taken an indefinite leave of absence.
"This afternoon, Danny Ferry requested, and I have approved, taking an indefinite leave of absence, effective immediately," Hawks CEO Steve Koonin said in a statement Friday.
"It is my hope that this time away from the Hawks organization allows him the privacy he needs to listen to the community, to learn about his mistakes, and to begin the long process of personal healing," Koonin said.
During a conference call this summer, Ferry described Deng, an unrestricted free-agent forward, as having "a little African in him" and that he could be a disruptive presence in the locker room. Deng eventually rejected an offer made to him by the Hawks and signed with the Miami Heat.
A transcript of the June conference call that has been obtained by numerous news organizations also reveals Ferry saying of Anthony: "He can shoot the [expletive] out of it, but he screws you up in other ways."
Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon found Ferry's comments appalling and asked controlling partner Bruce Levenson to remove Ferry from his position. Levenson, however, opted to ignore the request.
Recently, a memo was' released revealing comments Levenson made two years ago implying that suburban whites were not attending Hawks games due to the large presence of black fans.
Team execs I've spoken to all raise the same point: Why would Danny Ferry read those remarks on a conference call, period?
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) September 12, 2014
Before the transcript was released, Ferry continuously denied making any racially charged comments in referring to Deng.
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