Steve Koonin Named New CEO of Atlanta Hawks

Steve Koonin has been named as the new CEO of National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise the Atlanta Hawks.

As a result, Koonin will leave his post as President of Turner Entertainment Networks where he has been since 2000.

Hawks majority owner Bruce Levenson described Koonin as a “game changer” and added: “Steve Koonin’s reputation as a game changer in both marketing and media makes him the ideal leader to usher the Atlanta Hawks into a new era.

“He has created a legacy as an expert in sports marketing, television, branding and digital media.

“Hawks are thrilled that Steve is joining the ownership group as both our CEO and a partner.”

As the head of Turner Entertainment, Koonin oversaw TNT, TBS and TruTV and he is credited with bringing talk show host Conan O’Brien to TBS in 2010, in what was considered a surprise move.

The Turner networks broadcast games from the NBA, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Koonin, an Atlanta native, also spent 14 years working as the Vice-President of Consumer Marketing for Coca-Cola

Turner President David Levy said that the search for Koonin’s replacement would start immediately.

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