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The Hawks are replacing Ryan Cameron with Big Tigger as in-game announcer at State Farm Arena after 20 years of service with the team, 17 of them as the announcer.

Cameron, who now is an afternoon jock at Majic 107.5/97.5, joined the Hawks in 2001 running around the stands playing games with customers. In 2004, he took over the mic and missed almost no games, covering more than 700 home games, including playoff runs.

Steve Koonin, CEO of the Hawks, said in an interview Tuesday that this was a synergy issue with Audacy, the company that airs the Hawks games on 92.9/The Game on the radio and also owns V-103 where Tigger is morning host. Cameron no longer works for Audacy since Majic 107.5/97.5 is owned by Radio One.

Tigger, whose real name is Darian Morgan, has been the in-game DJ for several years for the Hawks. Tenitra Batiste, a host and reporter at the Game, will be part of the in-arena show as an analyst.

https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/exclusive-ryan-cameron-dropped-as-hawks-on-court-announcer-after-17-years-for-big-tigger/4FTKIDEVGNBKLNAWXHIGMPNFK4/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&ecmp=tvfilm&utm_medium=social&utm_source=tvfilm_fb&utm_campaign=snd

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This is a damn shame.

That's cold. This move was years overdue but waiting until the team is really good and dumping him for a major competitor is a low blow.

Neither is a spring chicken or has a strong sports background.

Update:




– says he asked for more money after not receiving a raise in almost a decade

– an exec (most likely steve koonin) called him and berated him for asking for more money and almost immediately fired him

– says the reason that was given (because he left v-103/audacy) was a lie

– says he only missed 2 home games in 20 years and never had any issues his whole time there until he asked for a raise

– still cant go to games because of the sour taste they left