The Hawks announced on Monday that they will "culminate three days of community service and inclusion with a Unity Game on Oct. 10, the preseason home opener against the Cavaliers," according to Chris Vivlamore of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Members of the Hawks organization will "participate in two events leading up to the exhibition game -- six service projects within Atlanta and participation in the 46th Atlanta Pride Festival." Hawks CEO Steve Koonin calls the organization's involvement in the community its "brand promise." The concept for Unity Day came from an "all-employee forum in July which followed a series of what the organization called 'unsettling and alarming events' around the nation." The staff of approximately 125 attendees was "asked to think of ways the Hawks organization could unite the city." Within the forum, the "themes of community service, inclusion and using basketball as a change agent led to the creation of the event." Hawks Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Nzinga Shaw said, "The issues that we are trying to tackle and the communities that we are trying to [heal] are real. They are not figures of anyone's imagination. They are real people. To be able to be a catalyst for change and a catalyst to bring people together and unite with a positive message at the center of what we are doing is invaluable, specifically in the city of Atlanta that is the home of civil rights” (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION 9/13).
LET'S GET DIGITAL: The Hawks yesterday announced the creation of Hawks Season PASS, a fully digital ticket plan that gives fans access to all of the team's regular and preseason games, with the exception of two Cavaliers games and one Warriors game. Hawks Season PASS can be purchased with six monthly payments of $67 or a single payment of $399. Once purchased, ticket holders will use the Hawks' mobile app to register and redeem the tickets at Philips Arena. Those who purchase the program and attend a game will receive a mobile notification up to 15 minutes before tipoff as to their exact seat location. Up to four Hawks Season PASS plans may be purchased together in a single transaction (Hawks).
COURT REPORT: The JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION's Vivlamore notes Hawks Basketball & Entertainment, the former ownership group of the franchise, has "filed a lawsuit against New Hampshire Insurance Company for breach of contract involving the settlement of claims made" by former GM Danny Ferry. The lawsuit "does not involve the current Hawks ownership group" led by Owner Tony Ressler. The lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court of Fulton County on Tuesday against the insurance company also described as AIG, is a "civil action for breach of contract and insurance bad faith" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 9/15).
