Ted Turner dies at 87: Former Braves, Hawks and WCW owner shaped sports in Atlanta, nationwide

The Atlanta Braves organization, a cornerstone of Turner’s sporting empire, released a heartfelt statement following the news of his death. "Our good friend and former owner, Ted Turner, was one of a kind – a brilliant businessman, consummate showman and passionate fan of his beloved Braves," the statement read. It continued, "Ted’s visionary leadership and innovative approach to broadcast television transformed the Braves into ‘America’s Team.’ Under his stewardship, the ballclub experienced one of the greatest runs of sustained excellence in Major League Baseball history and brought a World Series championship to Atlanta in 1995. Ted was also a legendary philanthropist whose compassion and generosity extended across the globe. We will miss you, Ted. You helped make us who we are today, and the Atlanta Braves are forever grateful for the impact you made on our organization and in our community."

An Ohio native, Turner relocated to Atlanta in his youth and quickly established himself as a dominant force in the city’s business scene. His entrepreneurial spirit propelled him to become a media mogul and a true pioneer in cable television. Among his groundbreaking achievements, Turner founded Cable News Network (CNN) in 1980, the world’s first 24-hour cable news station, revolutionizing information dissemination globally. Prior to CNN, he launched WTBS, which became the first cable "superstation," and later TNT, expanding his reach across multiple entertainment genres. These ventures not only built a media empire but also provided the infrastructure for his sports properties to gain unprecedented national exposure.

Turner’s foray into sports ownership began in 1976 when he purchased the struggling Atlanta Braves for an estimated $12 million. This acquisition was not merely a business investment; it was a strategic move to provide content for his nascent WTBS network. By broadcasting nearly every Braves game nationally, Turner transformed a regional baseball team into "America’s Team," fostering a fanbase that stretched far beyond Georgia’s borders. His innovative approach to sports promotion was legendary, born partly out of necessity during the Braves’ early years under his ownership, when the team frequently languished at the bottom of the National League standings. Turner’s creative, sometimes unconventional, efforts generated buzz and kept the team economically viable. A notable instance of his showmanship occurred in 1977 when, following the suspension of manager Dave Bristol, Turner himself took the helm for one game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He managed the team to a loss before Major League Baseball intervened, prohibiting an owner from managing a team.

The Braves’ on-field fortunes began to shift with Turner’s strategic hires. In 1978, he brought in Bobby Cox as manager, marking the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship. While Cox’s initial managerial stint was brief, his return in 1990 heralded the start of a remarkable dynasty. Under Turner’s guidance, and with the astute general management of John Schuerholz—whom Turner lured from the Kansas City Royals in 1990—the Braves cultivated an impressive homegrown talent base, notably their Hall of Fame pitching trio of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz, alongside future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones. This core was supplemented by shrewd trades and free-agent acquisitions that solidified their dominance.

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The Braves’ ascent culminated in a dramatic World Series appearance in 1991, where they famously fell to the Minnesota Twins in a legendary seven-game series. This marked the beginning of an unprecedented run of 14 consecutive division titles from 1991 to 2005 (excluding the strike-shortened 1994 season), establishing the Braves as one of the most consistent and recognizable franchises in professional sports. The pinnacle of Turner’s baseball ownership arrived in 1995 when the Braves defeated the Cleveland Indians to secure the World Series championship, bringing a long-awaited title to Atlanta. The following year, as part of a monumental $400 million merger, Turner sold the Braves to Time Warner, integrating his sports and media assets into a larger corporate structure.

Beyond baseball, Turner’s influence extended to basketball and professional wrestling. He acquired the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks in 1977, owning the franchise until 1982. During his tenure, the Hawks achieved modest success, winning only a single playoff series. His most significant impact outside baseball, however, came in the realm of professional wrestling. In 1988, Turner founded World Championship Wrestling (WCW) by acquiring the assets of Jim Crockett Promotions, a struggling regional wrestling promoter. WCW quickly evolved into the chief rival of Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation (WWF), sparking the intense "Monday Night Wars" that captivated audiences in the 1990s. WCW’s flagship program, "Monday Nitro," famously bested WWF’s "Monday Night Raw" in television ratings for an astonishing 83 consecutive weeks, largely driven by innovative storylines, live broadcasts, and the introduction of stars like the New World Order (nWo). Despite its initial dominance, WCW faced creative and financial challenges, ultimately leading to its sale to WWF (now WWE) in 2001, marking the end of Turner’s involvement in the wrestling industry.

Turner’s diverse accomplishments were not limited to media and professional sports. He was also an internationally recognized yachtsman, achieving sailing’s highest honor by winning the prestigious America’s Cup race in 1977 aboard his yacht, Courageous. His impact on Atlanta’s physical landscape was also significant, with the stadium where the Braves played from 1997 to 2016 being named Turner Field. The venue, originally built as the Centennial Olympic Stadium for the 1996 Summer Olympics, was rebranded and reconfigured for baseball, serving as a testament to his legacy in the city. In recognition of his profound contributions to media and his pioneering spirit, Turner was named Time Magazine’s "Man of the Year" in 1991 for his groundbreaking leadership in cable news.

Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Turner was a fervent environmentalist and philanthropist, notably establishing the United Nations Foundation in 1998 with a $1 billion pledge. He became one of the largest private landowners in the United States, dedicating vast tracts of his property to conservation efforts. His life was a testament to a relentless drive to innovate, compete, and leave a lasting mark on the world.

Ted Turner is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His passing leaves behind a legacy of innovation that transformed how people consumed news, entertainment, and sports, cementing his place as one of the most influential figures of the late 20th century.

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