The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The franchise was formed in 1946 as the National Basketball League's Buffalo Bisons. In 1951, the franchise relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and became the Milwaukee Hawks. The team was renamed the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. The name originated from  the Black Hawk War that was mostly fought in Illinois. In 1968, the team was sold to Atlanta real estate developer and soon the Omni Coliseum, was developed. The team now plays out of Phillips Arena.