The Hawks are "in the early stages of assessing what’s next for 15-year-old Philips Arena," according to Tim Tucker of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Hawks Managing Partner Bruce Levenson said, "One of the big opportunities that has me excited ... is reimagining our arena and the area around it." Levenson added that the future of the arena is "one of the major items he has put on the plate" of Hawks CEO Steve Koonin, who was hired last month. Koonin said, "We want the arena to accommodate people’s lifestyles. We want it to be more than just a place to see a game. We've got to be able to create an experience that can compete with everything going on in Atlanta." Tucker wrote a "big part of Levenson's ambition for the arena's future involves what most might consider a long shot: development of an entertainment complex in the Gulch, a 120-acre area of railways and parking lots" neighboring the facility. Levenson said that he "envisions something like the thriving entertainment districts" around the O2 Arena and Staples Center. Levenson: "I would love our building to be the anchor for something bigger and more exciting for our fans in that immediate area." He added, "I'm going to put all my energy into creating both an in-arena experience and an around-the-arena experience that is going to encourage people to come. That is the way we're thinking about this." Tucker noted Philips Arena "recently signed an agreement with Boingo Wireless, a leading provider of cellular and Wi-Fi networks for large venues, to install state-of-the-art technology designed to provide comprehensive wireless coverage for fans throughout the building." Levenson said, "We have developed a big vision for (mobile content) that we think will deepen our relationship with our fans. ... We are taking the first step in that process by in effect hot-wiring every seat" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 5/10).
