Hawks join Emory in building 'unprecedented' headquarters

The Hawks announced Tuesday they've partnered with Emory Healthcare to build a new practice facility and move team headquarters to a new campus a few miles north of Philips Arena before the 2017-18 season.

Other NBA teams, such as Minnesota, Cleveland and Chicago, have joined with regional healthcare companies on similar ventures in recent years, but Dr. Scott Boden, the director of Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center, said this partnership is unprecedented.

Hawks president and head coach Mike Budenholzer said the addition of P3 and its founder Dr. Marcus Elliott will give his team a competitive advantage.

Ressler, the principal owner of a group that paid $850 million for the Hawks and the rights to Philips Arena, now will turn his full attention to negotiating major upgrades to the arena, likely with public financial support.

Ressler hopes the project will help the Hawks attract NBA free agents and retain star players like center Al Horford, whose contract expires this summer.