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Hawks Look To Promotions Like Nickelodeon Night, Rap Performances To Draw Fans

The Hawks on Saturday are hosting a ’90s-themed Nickelodeon night for their game against the Bulls. Activities will include everything from photo ops on the SNICK orange couch to participating in mini-game shows such as “Double Dare” and “GUTS.” The Hawks as part of the promo have invited several players, including Basketball HOFer Dominique Wilkins and former NBAers Theo Ratliff and Duane Ferrell, who were with the team in the ‘90s, and will run highlight reels from throughout the decade. The club will sell 300 limited-edition T-shirts at its Hawks Shop printed in ‘90s colors of teal, pink, and purple, along with volt green graphics that feature glow-in-the-dark ink. Hawks CEO Steve Koonin said, “They are bringing back a lot of the characters that I grew up watching with my children. I hope I don’t get slimed, but I am going to throw a change of clothes in my car just in case.” Several other Nickelodeon nights are being discussed with other teams -- the Nets are hosting one next Friday night at Barclays Center, while the Bucks are scheduled for March 4 at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Nickelodeon Senior VP/Sports Marketing & Development Anthony DiCosmo: “When we first started out, we wanted to shoot for the stars. I think we ended up on the moon. Anytime you can do something with athletes that they are intrinsically excited about, it translates over into whatever the project is." He added, “If we can engage the Millennial audience, maybe they will bring their kids along as well” (Mark Bulovas, Staff Writer).

WELCOME TO ATLANTA
: The AP's Jonathan Landrum Jr. noted the Hawks are "collaborating with big-name hip-hop artists like T.I., Ludacris and Big Boi in what the team calls an effort to make amends" after former team execs Danny Ferry and Bruce Levenson in '14 "made racially charged remarks in separate incidents." Koonin said, "We wanted to fix our relationship with the city. Southern hip-hop is born here. It's part of our DNA. We just believe the convergence of sports and entertainment, NBA basketball and hip-hop are a natural blend to continue to grow our business." Landrum noted T.I. had "performed at games before the racial incidents and had an established relationship with franchise officials," but the performances have "become more frequent since Ferry and Levenson's remarks were made public." T.I. and Koonin both indicated that there is a "mutual benefit: The performances help sell tickets and help the rappers push new projects and merchandise." T.I. said that the idea for musicians to perform at Hawks games "originated several years ago when Hannah Kang from his Grand Hustle Records label pitched the concept to the team." Over the past two seasons, 2 Chainz, Young Jeezy, CeeLo Green, Rich Homie Quan, Big Grams and Silento "have performed at games." Most of the performers "are Atlanta residents." Koonin said that the artists "aren't paid," though some donations have "been made to charitable organizations in their name in the past" (AP, 1/7).

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