Media Tycoon And Former Braves and Hawks Owner Ted Turner Passes Away

On Wednesday morning, Ted Turner passed away at the age of 87. Turner, an Atlanta icon, is most known for his contributions to the city of Atlanta, Georgia and his affect on the entire country.

With the CNN Center stationed in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the network’s launch in 1980 put the city on the map as home to the world’s first-ever 24-hour cable news station, reporting on major world events. CNN’s rapid growth established Atlanta as one of the premier media hubs in the Southeast and brought thousands of jobs and economic development opportunities to the downtown area.

The CNN Center became one of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks, symbolizing Turner’s lasting influence on Atlanta’s national and global identity. He also launched Cartoon Network, the first television channel dedicated entirely to cartoons.

Turner also played an integral role in the city’s sports landscape, serving as a former principal owner of the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks. He purchased the Braves in 1976 and turned the struggling franchise into a national brand, dubbed “America’s Team” through his use of his television station TBS (Turner Broadcasting System) to showcase the Braves on national television to millions across the country whose markets may not have had MLB teams at the time.

Moreover, Turner oversaw the hirings of former president Stan Kasten and general manager John Schuerholz, both of whom oversaw the team’s turnaround from a bottom-feeder in the 1980s to a powerhouse in the 1990s.

From 1991-2005, Atlanta won 14 consecutive division titles, five National League pennants and a World Series in 1995. The Braves’ national following and large fan base throughout the Southeast and parts of the Southwest are due largely to Turner’s influence.

Likewise, Turner owned the Hawks for much of the 1980s and 1990s, when they were primarily led by Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins and later by stars such as Steve Smith and Dikembe Mutombo. From 1985-2000, the team recorded seven 50-win seasons. Since 2000, they have recorded only two.

Overall, Ted Turner’s legacy goes far beyond his founding of CNN. He not only built a media empire but also changed the entire landscape of a city and its perception, as Atlanta grew into a nationally recognized hub for business, media and culture.