The Hawks have a new name for their fan section. On Friday, the team announced that the Sixth Man section would become the FanDuel 404 Crew.
This summer, an email from a Hawks staffer announced that the Sixth Man Section would not return for the 2024-25 season. Later, through a spokesperson, the team clarified that the section only would undergo a rebranding.
The fan section and the process to be a member largely will remain as they have since the inception in 2009. Members of the section will receive free tickets to cheer while waving huge cardboard cutouts of players’ heads, chant and create noise with thunder sticks. The big difference is that the Hawks have partnered with an online gambling company.
Set in Section 122, the FanDuel 404 Crew will continue to host some of the Hawks’ rowdiest and most loyal fans, who have infused energy into the arena during games. The section will be integrated into the Hawks’ game presentation team with more collaboration with PA announcer Big Tigger and the State Farm Arena DJ to create chants and routines to energize the team and heckle and distract opponents.
“We love our fans and partnering with FanDuel was a great way for us to reinvent the experience for our most spirited, die-hard fans, who night after night lead the way in creating a fantastic fan atmosphere and home court advantage at State Farm Arena,” Steve Koonin, president and CEO of the Hawks and State Farm Arena, said in a statement.
Like past seasons, the fan section will have an audition process to be a part of the FanDuel 404 Crew. It will give Hawks fans a chance to show their love for the team and how they can infuse even more energy into games. According to a person familiar with the situation, members of the former Sixth Man section will receive an email from the team with details.
All FanDuel 404 Crew members must be at least 21 years old.
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