Atlanta Hawks' co-owner Bruce Levenson is going to sell controlling interest in the franchise after self-reporting an email with "inappropriate and offensive" material about the team's African-American fan base. With the Donald Sterling saga so fresh in everybody's mind (not to mention the $2 billion price tag the Los Angeles Clippers sold for), Levenson tried to get ahead of the scandal before it possibly came to light. He won't be the only one in the Hawks' organization affected by this.

Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tells us Hawks' co-owner and CEO Steve Koonin will be disciplining general manager Danny Ferry for repeating an "offensive and racist remark" that was in a background report about a free agent. Ferry will still remain on as the general manager.

Hawks co-owner Bruce Levenson said he will sell his controlling interest in the franchise because of an “inappropriate and offensive” internal e-mail sent two years ago regarding, in part, the lack of white fans at Philips Arena.

Levenson made the abrupt announcement Sunday, months after he self-reported the email to the NBA in July and the team and league commenced an independent investigation into the matter. In an exclusive interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sunday night, Hawks co-owner and CEO Steve Koonin said other disciplinary action will be taken, including against general manager Danny Ferry.

According to Koonin, the Hawks held a meeting in early June to discuss free agency. At that meeting, a player was being discussed and Ferry cited a background report that included an “offensive and racist” remark.

“Instead of editing it, he said the comment,” Koonin said.

So what exactly was in this background report and if Ferry merely repeated it instead of editing it, where did the comment come from? You start wondering whether or not these are in more background reports around the league or if this is just an isolated incident. Marc Stein of ESPN.com has sources saying the background report was about Luol Deng, who was a free agent and eventually signed with the Miami Heat. 

There seems to be a concerted effort to make sure racism in the league isn't tolerated, but you also have an owner volunteering to sell his controlling interest in a franchise, which will bring about a significant payout in the process. 

Ferry released the following statement Tuesday morning: 

“In regards to the insensitive remarks that were used during our due diligence process," Ferry wrote, "I was repeating comments that were gathered from numerous sources during background conversations and scouting about different players. I repeated those comments during a telephone conversation reviewing the draft and free agency process. Those words do not reflect my views, or words that I would use to describe an individual and I certainly regret it. I apologize to those I offended and to Luol, who I reached out to Monday morning.

"In terms of the email that Bruce sent, the situation is disturbing and disappointing on many levels and I understand Bruce's words were offensive.

"I am committed to learning from this and deeply regret this situation. I fully understand we have work to do in order to help us create a better organization; one that our players and fans will be proud of, on and off the court, and that is where my focus is moving forward.”

Danny Ferry will receive disciplinary action. (USATSI)
Danny Ferry will receive disciplinary action. (USATSI)