Tag: Steve Koonin

Philips Arena announced that many local favorites including Old Lady Gang, J.R. Crickets, B's Cracklin' Barbecue, Rita's Italian Ice, and Gio's Little Italia will be joining the arena's list of local eats.

“Hopefully, this can, and will, snowball into something bigger, not just for us and the city of Atlanta, but for the NBA and all professional sports.”

A former Coca-Cola and Turner Broadcasting exec—who recruited Conan O’Brien to TBS—Koonin became CEO and part owner of the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena in 2014.

It’s been almost three months since the team out-ed its majority owner and general manager for making separate racist statements, igniting an offseason firestorm that left the future of the franchise in question. But since then, the Falcons have flaked, both UGA and Tech have squandered playoff opportunities, and the Braves have made moves (J-Hey!? No!!) obviously geared more toward their future in Cobb. Atlanta sports fans are desperate for a winner.

As we sat in a corner office on the nineteenth floor of Centennial Tower, Atlanta Hawks CEO Steve Koonin was giddy as he discussed plans for carrying momentum forward: a revamped game experience this season and new uniforms next year as ways to draw millennials. Three days later, Koonin had much bigger worries than the players’ wardrobes.

Fresh off his successful mediation of the Snoop Dogg and Iggy Azalea Twitter feud, Atlanta’s own T.I. looks to strengthen his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize by helping the beleaguered hometown Hawks ease tensions with their fan base.