Before he became CEO of the Hawks, Steve Koonin spent 14 years as an executive at Coca-Cola and another 14 at Turner Entertainment Networks, both much larger businesses than a pro sports franchise.
Yet, nearing two years with the Hawks, Koonin has found his current position a satisfying challenge.
Related Gallery
“It’s the most complex job I’ve ever had — by far,” he said. “It’s 1/20th the size of what I did at Turner and it’s 20 times the complexity.”
Koonin is part of a trend in Atlanta sports — executives from non-sports backgrounds running the businesses of the city’s pro franchises.