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NBPA releases statement on Danny Ferry taking leave of absence

Jason Getz / USA Today Sports

The NBPA issued a statement on Danny Ferry's decision to take an indefinite leave of absence from his post as general manager of the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.

The statement comes from acting director Ron Klempner, who is handling union matters until the end of the month when new executive director Michele Roberts is expected to start on the job.

The statement is as follows:

The NBPA deplores the insensitive and thoroughly inappropriate remarks by Danny Ferry. We are pleased to learn that Ferry acknowledges his statements were offensive, has extended a personal apology to Luol Deng and the other Atlanta Hawks players and that the Hawks organization has determined that discipline of Ferry was warranted.

We will continue to monitor the situation, as well as any developments regarding Hawks' ownership, and respond accordingly.

The union had previously made a statement Monday when the situation first came to light, suggesting they would be monitoring developments. With owner Bruce Levenson agreeing to sell his controlling interest in the team and Ferry taking a leave voluntarily, the union likely got what they would have requested.

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