THE NBA was hit with another racism scandal late on Sunday when Atlanta Hawks majority shareholder Bruce Levenson admitted that he sent a racially insensitive email two years ago. He has now stepped down from his position as head of the franchise.

Four months ago Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned for life after a foul-mouthed racist rant toward his partner, telling her not to bring black people to his games.

In another damaging blow to the NBA, Levenson sent an email to general manager Danny Ferry back in 2012 in order to discuss ways to boost fan attendance at games. 

In the discussions, Levenson told Ferry that southern white men might not be comfortable in an arena with a high percentage of African American fans.

“In trying to address those issues, I wrote an email two years ago that was inappropriate and offensive,” Levenson said in a statement released by the team. “If you’re angry about what I wrote, you should be. I’m angry at myself, too. It was inflammatory nonsense. 

“We all may have subtle biases and preconceptions when it comes to race, but my role as a leader is to challenge them, not to validate or accommodate those who might hold them.”

The league opened up an independent investigation in July, when Levenson came clean about the emails, but weren’t able to hand out a punishment as Levenson has now sold his controlling stake in the team.

“I have said repeatedly that the NBA should have zero tolerance for racism and I strongly believe that to be true,” Levenson said. “That is why I voluntarily reported my inappropriate email to the NBA.

“After much long and difficult contemplation I have decided that it is in the best interests of the team, the Atlanta community and the NBA to sell my controlling interest in the Hawks franchise.”

While NBA commissioner Adam Silver is glad Levenson reported the emails, he said the remarks were in “stark contrast to the core principles of the NBA.”