The Hawks will "move into" a 90,000-square foot practice facility in the fall that cost the team nearly $50M to build, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY. The Hawks are "teaming with Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center and P3 (Peak Performance Project) to create a center that not only includes modern amenities but one that incorporates the best of sports medicine and science." The "strategically-planned convergence is aimed at preventing injuries, keeping players healthier and extending careers." Practice facilities are "front and center in the NBA’s arms race" as teams "look for other ways to support players." The Hawks "believe incorporating Emory and P3 in their building is a game-changer." Hawks CEO Steve Koonin said, "It gives us competitive distinction in the NBA. ... Anything you do that makes you stand out is a good thing. We couldn’t be more excited about the accomplishment." Koonin said that the team's new ownership group led by Tony Ressler "committed to a new practice facility the day he took over." Zillgitt notes there is "another component to the new facility." With at least 50 high-level players from the NBA, D-League, and college "spending time in the Atlanta area during the summer, the Hawks want their facility to become a site for quality pickup games in the offseason." The center will also "have a visitor’s locker room" (USA TODAY, 4/21).
