2 Chainz becomes part owner of the Hawks' new College Park G League team
The Atlanta Hawks are moving their G League team from Erie, Pennsylvania, to College Park, Georgia, and now they have a fitting local celebrity joining the team’s ownership group.
Grammy Award-winning rapper 2 Chainz will join NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill and principal owner Tony Ressler as minority owner of the College Park Skyhawks ahead of their inaugural 2019-20 season.
“It’s exciting and a dream come TRU to be a part of a sports team, especially one in my community,” 2 Chainz said, via NBA.com. “Being able to give back, create opportunities for the youth, inspire and show people what you can do if you believe in yourself and work hard makes this opportunity so meaningful to me.”
2 Chainz has been involved with the Hawks since as early as 2015, when he first performed at the club’s In-game Concert Series. In one of the sport’s best uses of custom jerseys, the team gave him a No. 2 jersey with “Chainz’ on the back to perform in, and the Hawks have co-branded other merchandise with the rapper.
The fit is natural, considering his connection to the Atlanta neighborhood. 2 Chainz helped North Clayton High School win a state championship in basketball as a sophomore in 1993 and earned a scholarship to play at Alabama State.
“College Park is a place where stars are born, and we are excited to welcome one of the city’s biggest — 2 Chainz — as an owner of the College Park Skyhawks,” Hawks CEO Steve Koonin said. “It is truly a perfect match. Nobody represents College Park better or is more invested in that community than him and his passion and knowledge for the game of basketball is well-documented. He will be a great ambassador for the Skyhawks — the next generation of College Park stars.”
2 Chainz joins a long line of artists who have invested in professional teams. Jay-Z was famously a part owner of the Brooklyn Nets before he sold his share to become a sports agent, while Will Smith bought a share of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2011, and Nelly became a minority owner of the expansion Charlotte Bobcats in 2004.
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