Steve Koonin Exits Turner Entertainment Networks

ATLANTA: Steve Koonin, the president of Turner Entertainment Networks, is leaving the company to take on the role of CEO of the NBA team the Atlanta Hawks.

Koonin had been with Turner for 14 years, most recently overseeing programming, marketing, scheduling, strategy and operations for the networks TNT, TBS, truTV and Turner Classic Movies. Now, he will be overseeing all business, financial and strategic operations of the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena. He will also acquire an equity position within the ownership group, and represent the owners as the head of the organization.

"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," said Bruce Levenson, Hawks majority owner. "The Hawks are thrilled that Steve is joining the ownership group as both our CEO and a partner.”

"I have known Steve for more than two decades and based both on first-hand experience and his stellar record of accomplishments, he is one of the very best executives and creative minds in the entertainment industry," added Adam Silver, NBA commissioner. "I am thrilled that he is joining the Hawks and bringing his expertise and passion for the game to the team and its fans.”

“I have a deep commitment to Atlanta—my family has been a part of this city for nearly a century. I have watched the excitement and potential of the entire city growing together as our sports teams achieve success,” said Koonin. “I couldn’t be more excited to join the Hawks organization. We have a lot of work to do, but I believe my professional experience, my passion for this team and the NBA, as well as the Hawks’ great existing executive talent, including our president of basketball operations/general manager, Danny Ferry, and president of business operations for the Hawks and Philips Arena president, Bob Williams, make this organization’s future very bright.”