A lawsuit from former Atlanta Hawks security manager and Philips Arena events security handler Samuel Hayes claims that a white manager instituted a “system of discrimination” against black artists at Hawks games.
According to TMZ, Hayes was claims in the suit that he was wrongly fired after blowing the whistle on “a system of discrimination against black celebs at the arena,” which is operated and staffed by the Hawks.
Hayes says that he noticed the discrimination from the start of his employment in August 2016. He says that his white boss made black stars undergo more rigorous security checks than white stars. For example, he points out the incident on August 26, when Drake and Future performed at Philips Arena. Both artists asked to bypass metal detectors on their way inside but their requests were denied.
A week later, AC/DC performed and made the same metal detector bypass request, but their request was granted.
Other instances include Kanye West, 2 Chainz, Jeezy, The Dream, Migos, Cedric the Entertainer, Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley, Tyler Perry and Katt Williams, who were all denied. But Amy Schumer, Adele, Ariana Grande and Bon Jovi’s requests were all granted.
Hayes says that he had had enough in April 2017 when a black security officer told a white member of Radiohead’s crew he had to walk through a metal detector. The crew member, in turn, dropped his pants. Hayes says a white staffer then allowed the crew member to bypass.
Hayes says when he went to management, he was told, “Hip hop acts draw a different crowd and the white acts bring in more money.”
Hayes says he was finally terminated for complaining about the issues but told that he was let go for reprimanding other staffer members without first consulting Human Resources.
He is seeking an unspecified damages.
A team spokesperson for the Hawks told TMZ Sports, “[Samuel Hayes] was terminated for poor performance and his claims are baseless.”
“We will defend vigorously.”
