A Visionary in Media and Sports
Ted Turner, the influential media mogul and former proprietor of the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks, has passed away at 87, according to a formal announcement from Turner Enterprises. The news was subsequently confirmed by the Braves organization.
Reflecting on his legacy, Atlanta Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler stated: “a true original, a visionary, and a force of nature whose impact will be felt for generations.”
From Advertising to Broadcasting Giant
While Turner achieved significant fame in the sports world, his immense wealth was built through the media landscape. After inheriting his father’s advertising agency, he aggressively expanded into the radio and television sectors. His station, WTCG, became the cornerstone of his media empire, ultimately securing the broadcasting rights for the Braves and Hawks—a strategic move that paved his path into professional sports.
Revolutionizing Sports Broadcasting
Turner eventually acquired both franchises, purchasing the Braves in 1976 and the Hawks the following year. By transforming WTCG into WTBS, he created a platform to broadcast Braves games to a national audience. At the time, this was a groundbreaking approach, positioning the Braves as one of the most visible and widely watched teams in Major League Baseball.
Controversies and Leadership
Turner’s tenure was characterized by bold, sometimes controversial decisions. In 1977, he faced a one-year suspension from then-commissioner Bowie Kuhn for tampering during the recruitment of outfielder Gary Matthews. Though the league initially penalized the team by stripping a first-round draft pick, Turner successfully appealed the decision, and both the suspension and the penalty were overturned.
That same year, Turner made headlines by personally managing the Braves for a single game during a 16-game losing streak. Following the game, National League president Chub Feeney ruled that acting as both owner and manager created a conflict of interest. Turner attempted to challenge this ruling with commissioner Kuhn but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Legacy and Later Years
As the 1980s progressed, Turner adopted a more peripheral role within the organizations. In 1996, the franchises were acquired by Time Warner as part of a larger deal involving TBS, and Liberty Media eventually bought the Braves in 2007. Despite his reduced involvement, Turner remained the owner during the team's historic 1995 World Series victory.
His ownership of the Hawks was marked by consistent performance, with the team reaching the playoffs 15 times under his tenure; in 2004, the organization honored him by retiring a jersey in his name.
Beyond sports, Turner’s media influence remains unparalleled, as he was the founder of TBS, TNT, CNN, and Cartoon Network. In 2018, Turner revealed that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia.