ATLANTA -- The controlling owner of the Atlanta Hawks, Bruce Levenson, announced on Sunday that he plans to sell his interest in the team. The decision comes after Levenson self-reported to the NBA that he sent a racist email in August 2012.
Levenson has served as the Hawks governor and controlling owner since 2004. He's a member of the Atlanta Spirit, a group of seven businessmen who bought ownership of the Hawks, the Atlanta Thrashers -- an NHL team that was sold to a Winnipeg, Manitoba-based company in 2011 -- and operations rights to Philips Arena.
According to a bio on the Atlanta Hawks website, Levenson and Ed Peskowitz (also a Hawks co-owner), are the founders of United Communications Group, described as "a portfolio of professional business information companies."
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Levenson is also a founding shareholder of TechTarget, and served on its board until 2012.
Back in April, Levenson told an Atlanta radio station that he would support ousting then-Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who was recorded making racist statements to his girlfriend.
"I have said repeatedly that the NBA should have zero tolerance for racism, and I strongly believe that to be true. That is why I voluntarily reported my inappropriate email to the NBA," Levenson said.
Sterling was subsequently barred from the NBA and forced to sell the team.
The bio states that Levenson and his wife Karen spearheaded the creation of the Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Maryland. The couple also were also behind the "Do Good Challenge,", described as "an eight-week competition created by UMD students to encourage their peers to Do Good."
Levenson served as president of the "I Have a Dream Foundation," which helps children from low-income situations pursue higher edcuation.
Levenson graduated from Washington University's school of political science and American University's law school.
His estimated worth is around $500 million.
