ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Hawks are retiring a ceremonial jersey to honor Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed.
The ceremonial jersey will be retired on Nov. 3, when the Hawks play the Houston Rockets.
Reed will be honored for his support of the Hawks, including his role in keeping the team in its Philips Arena downtown location. The city is providing $142.5 million of the $192.5 million in the two-year renovation of the facility. The work began last offseason and will be completed following the 2017-18 season.
With the financial support from the city, the Hawks agreed to an 18-year lease extension to remain at the city-owned arena through 2046.
The Hawks say Reed’s ceremonial jersey will be “placed on permanent display” in the arena. The team’s retired player jerseys hang from the rafters.
The Hawks say this is the first time someone outside the team has received this honor.
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