Inside the Atlanta Hawks Front Office: How the Team Is Run and How Fans Can Connect

The Atlanta Hawks front office is the engine behind everything you see on the court at State Farm Arena. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting for a game, or just want to understand how the Hawks are run as a franchise, it helps to know who does what, where decisions are made, and how you can interact with the organization.

This guide walks through the structure of the Hawks front office, key roles, how it impacts the team you watch, and the most practical info for Atlanta-area fans.

How the Atlanta Hawks Organization Is Structured

The Hawks are organized into two broad sides:

• Basketball operations – everything related to the team on the court.
• Business operations – tickets, marketing, community programs, arena experience, and corporate strategy.

Both sides are based in Atlanta, Georgia, with key work happening at:

• State Farm Arena – 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Emory Sports Medicine Complex / Hawks Practice Facility – 1968 Hawks Lane NE, Brookhaven, GA 30329

These locations are where many front office staff work, scout, plan, and run day‑to‑day operations.

Basketball Operations: Who Builds the Hawks Roster?

When people say “Hawks front office,” they usually mean the basketball operations department. This group is responsible for:

• Building the roster
• Managing the salary cap
• Drafting young players
• Making trades and signings
• Overseeing coaching, medical, and player development

Key Basketball Operations Roles

While specific titles and names can change over time, most NBA teams, including the Hawks, typically have roles like:

• Governor / Principal Owner – Sets overall vision and approves major decisions.
• Team President or CEO – Connects basketball and business sides strategically.
• General Manager (GM) – Main architect of the roster; negotiates trades, drafts players, and manages contracts.
• Assistant General Managers – Support scouting, analytics, salary cap planning, and G League operations.
• Head Coach – Leads game strategy and lineups, works closely with the front office on player usage and fit.
• Player Personnel & Scouting Staff – Travel to evaluate college, international, and pro players.
• Analytics Department – Uses data to inform decisions about players, lineups, and strategy.
• Medical & Performance Staff – Athletic trainers, team doctors, strength and conditioning specialists.

Where Basketball Decisions Happen in Atlanta

Most basketball operations work is split between:

• Hawks Practice Facility (Emory Sports Medicine Complex)

  • Practice courts
  • Training rooms and recovery areas
  • Offices for coaches, player development, and performance staff

• State Farm Arena Front Office Areas

  • Game‑day operations
  • Some executive offices
  • Meeting spaces for pre‑draft workouts, media sessions, and internal planning

If you attend a game in downtown Atlanta, most of what you see on the court is the result of months or years of planning by this front office group.

Business Operations: The Hawks as an Atlanta Sports Company

On the other side of the front office is the business operations team, which focuses on fans, revenue, and the Hawks’ presence across Atlanta.

Core Business Departments

You’ll often see or interact with:

• Ticketing & Membership

  • Sells season tickets, partial plans, and single-game seats
  • Manages Hawks membership accounts, seat upgrades, and renewals
  • Works closely with downtown Atlanta businesses and local fans

• Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships

  • Connects the Hawks with Atlanta-based and national brands
  • Oversees partner signage, in-arena activations, and promotions

• Marketing & Digital

  • Runs social media, email updates, and promotional campaigns
  • Organizes theme nights (e.g., local artist nights, heritage nights) popular with Atlanta residents

• Community Relations & Youth Programs

  • Coordinates Hawks community events across Atlanta neighborhoods
  • Supports basketball courts, youth leagues, local nonprofits, and school programs

• Game Presentation & Fan Experience

  • In charge of music, in‑game entertainment, on‑court contests, and halftime shows
  • Focuses on making Hawks games a standout experience in downtown Atlanta

• Operations & Facility Management

  • Works on arena logistics, security coordination, and overall event operations at State Farm Arena

Where to Find or Contact the Hawks Front Office in Atlanta

If you’re an Atlanta resident or visitor, these are the primary touchpoints:

State Farm Arena

Address:
State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303

From MARTA’s Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center station, it’s a short walk to the arena. This is the main public-facing home of the Hawks.

Common reasons locals reach out or visit:

• In‑person ticket help on game days
• Questions about seating, accessibility, or arena policies
• Group sales for schools, churches, or companies in metro Atlanta
• Community events, concerts, and non‑basketball events

General Contact Channels (Typical for an NBA Team)

While exact phone numbers and email inboxes can change, teams like the Hawks usually offer:

• Ticket Office / Sales & Service

  • For season tickets, mini‑plans, and single‑game questions
  • Commonly available during business hours and on game days

• Group Sales

  • For youth teams, school outings, and employee events
  • Popular with Atlanta-area organizations planning special outings

• Community Relations / Donations

  • For local nonprofits seeking appearances, support, or collaborative initiatives

For the most current contact details, fans in Atlanta typically check the team’s official channels or call the arena’s main information line.

How the Hawks Front Office Affects the Fan Experience in Atlanta

The front office shapes what it feels like to be a Hawks fan in the city, not just what you see on TV.

On the Court

• Roster Building:
  The basketball front office decides which players represent Atlanta, how long they stay, and how the roster evolves.

• Playing Style:
  Choices about coaching staff and players influence whether the Hawks play fast, focus on shooting, or emphasize defense.

• G League Integration:
  The Hawks’ G League affiliate supports player development, which the front office coordinates to keep talent flowing to Atlanta.

In the City

• Community Engagement:
  The organization invests in metro Atlanta neighborhoods, from basketball court refurbishments to youth clinics and local charity partnerships.

• Local Identity:
  The front office often leans into Atlanta’s music, culture, and neighborhoods in its branding and game presentation, making the Hawks feel like a true city team.

• Economic Impact:
  Hawks home games and events bring people downtown, supporting nearby restaurants, bars, hotels, and parking operations around State Farm Arena.

Ways Atlanta Fans Can Engage With the Hawks Front Office’s Work

You may never sit in on a draft meeting, but you can still interact with the front office’s decisions in meaningful ways.

1. Attend Games at State Farm Arena

You experience:

• The product of basketball operations (roster, style of play)
• The creativity of business operations (music, promotions, in‑arena entertainment)

Buying tickets, choosing seats, and exploring premium vs. upper‑level options all connect back to front office strategies.

2. Join Membership and Ticket Programs

Residents across metro Atlanta often take part in:

• Full season ticket memberships for dedicated fans
• Partial plans for families or people who work downtown and attend games after work
• Group tickets for schools, alumni associations, and youth teams

These programs reflect front office decisions about pricing, benefits, and member experiences.

3. Participate in Local Community and Youth Programs

The Hawks front office supports community:

• Youth basketball camps and clinics in and around Atlanta
• Court renovations in city parks
• School partnerships and reading or wellness programs

If you’re a parent, coach, or community leader, these programs can provide direct value to kids and families in your part of the city.

4. Follow Team News and Official Updates

To stay informed about what the front office is doing:

• Track trades, draft picks, and signings
• Watch for coaching changes or new player development hires
• Look out for new community partnerships or arena updates

Following these developments gives a clearer picture of how leadership is steering the franchise and what that means for Atlanta.

Quick Snapshot: Hawks Front Office at a Glance

If You’re New to the Hawks and Atlanta

If you’ve recently moved to Atlanta or are visiting:

• Living downtown or nearby?
  It’s easy to take MARTA or walk to games and experience how the front office shapes the arena atmosphere.

• Living in the suburbs (e.g., Marietta, Decatur, Sandy Springs, College Park)?
  Many fans commute in for night games and weekend events; ticket reps often help locals pick plans that fit their schedules.

• Bringing kids?
  Look for family‑oriented promotions, youth nights, and community clinics, which are all organized on the business and community side of the front office.

Understanding the Atlanta Hawks front office gives you a better sense of how decisions are made, how the team connects with the city, and how you, as an Atlanta resident or visitor, can take part—whether that’s by catching a game at State Farm Arena, enrolling in a youth program, or simply following how the roster is built season by season.