North Gwinnett News

The Atlanta Hawks have reached a deal with Papa Johns, making them an official partner of the NBA team.

The Hawks are not the only NBA team to have a deal with Papa Johns, the Hawks reported on their site. The Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards are also sponsored by the pizza company. Atlanta Hawks leadership is excited about the new partnership.

"Our partnership with Papa Johns goes beyond pizza" Andrew Saltzman, the Hawks' executive vice president and chief revenue officer, said. "At the Hawks, we are always looking for partners who are committed to making a profound impact on the community, and we are thrilled that Papa Johns is aligned with us in seeing the value and importance for how they can affect so many across metro Atlanta."

This is not the first intersection between the Atlanta Hawks and Papa Johns, the Hawks reported. The Hawks worked with the pizza giant as part of the 2022 All-Star voting campaign. The campaign had Atlanta's star point guard Trae Young voted in as a starter for the All-Star game for the second time by receiving more than 2.7 million votes from NBA fans across the country.

As part of its partnership with the Atlanta Hawks, Papa Johns will work with the team to help their community in ways such as Hawks spirit days, which the Hawks define as "memorable experiences for youth at select Community Centers around Atlanta."

Papa Johns and the Hawks will also be hosting "business of basketball" events, which will feature discussions on young people, leadership and historically black colleges and universities.

The new agreement was fittingly unveiled in celebratory fashion on National Pizza Day, with pizza parties held at Boys & Girls Clubs to commemorate the event.