Davis Dodds Celebrates Basketball Roots
Davis Dodds, a popular internet figure from Atlanta, is celebrating his basketball roots by taking part in a unique event at State Farm Arena. The 25-year-old, who grew up enjoying Atlanta Hawks games, is hosting an innovative 24-hour livestream on Twitch, which commenced at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, in anticipation of the Hawks’ 2025-26 season schedule reveal scheduled for Thursday at 3:15 p.m. ET. This innovative collaboration marks a significant first for the NBA, merging sports with social media culture by involving a digital creator in the event’s announcement.
Livestream Details and Guest Appearances
During a ceremonial handoff on Wednesday night, Hawks CEO Steve Koonin entrusted Dodds with access to the arena, where he will be streaming continuously.
“This is an exciting opportunity, and of course, we’ll have adult supervision,”
Koonin stated lightheartedly to ESPN, while likening Dodds to the main character from the movie ‘Home Alone’ as he navigates the empty space alone in the early hours. With over a million YouTube subscribers, 700,000 Instagram followers, and a recent surge to 10,000 Twitch subscribers, Dodds is a notable member of the content creation group AMP, alongside popular creators like Kai Cenat.
The livestream aims to be an engaging mix of entertainment and interaction, with a relaxed schedule that allows for spontaneous moments. Among the anticipated guests is local rapper 2 Chainz, who is set to join Dodds for a collaborative music session.
“We’re just going to have as much fun as possible and explore all the different areas within the arena,”
Dodds said, expressing excitement over the unique experience of living in an arena for a day, complete with activities such as dunk contests and a dedicated sleeping area arranged right behind a basketball hoop.
Support and Logistics
Katie DuPré, the Hawks’ director of social media, admitted the unique sleeping arrangements were a bit intimidating but saw it as an amusing story potential. Support from Hawks staff, including social media and marketing teams, will ensure Dodds stays safe and engaged throughout his streaming adventure.
Dodds, who previously filmed a music video at State Farm Arena, mentioned that managing the space would be a formidable task but perceived it positively, expressing hopes of sharing the joys of the venue with his audience. Koonin articulated some logistical challenges of using the large space, estimating over 700,000 square feet, but was optimistic that Dodds’ creativity would shape the event in an exciting way.
Innovative Collaboration and Future Implications
The idea to host this extended stream arose after Dodds’s successful Twitch engagement in July when he made a promise to his followers about a 24-hour stream, eventually reaching out to the Hawks to explore the possibility. They quickly agreed to this groundbreaking proposal, initially considering a more traditional 90-second schedule announcement video before evolving it into this larger collaboration.
“His audience resonates with the spirit of the NBA – they value fun, uniqueness, and entertainment,”
Koonin remarked. With the schedule release incorporated into the livestream, Dodds will be revealing pieces of Atlanta’s roster plan live, with the Hawks’ social media team documenting the event as if it were a live game to enhance viewer experience and engagement.
As the Hawks prepare for their schedule reveal, Dodds’s livestream is more than just a stream; it’s a blend of regional community connection and a modern approach to fan engagement aimed at fostering a new generation of basketball fans that aligns Cody Koonin’s vision with Dodds’s public persona.
This ambitious event symbolizes a leap forward in how sports franchises can connect with audiences, paving the way for future collaborations that mesh traditional sports with the digital age.
