ATLANTA - The Atlanta Hawks and city civil rights leaders say a meeting between the team's CEO and the group was ''extremely productive.''
The civil rights leaders, led by The Rev. Markel Hutchins, requested Friday's meeting with Hawks CEO Steve Koonin following racially charged comments by Hawks co-owner Bruce Levenson and general manager Danny Ferry.
Levenson is selling his majority share of the team and Ferry has taken an indefinite leave of absence. Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed was to meet with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in New York on Friday regarding the sale.
Hutchins' group and the Hawks said in a joint statement both ''are committed to working together.''
Hutchins' positive review of the meeting's ''great dialogue'' was a contrast to his sharp criticism of the team's leaders earlier this month.