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Robert Edward "Ted" Turner, the transformative former owner of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), passed away on Wednesday at the age of 87. The announcement came from his company, Turner Enterprises, confirming the end of an era marked by unparalleled innovation in media and sports. Turner had publicly disclosed a diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia, a progressive brain disorder, in 2018, and was hospitalized with pneumonia in 2025, indicating a period of declining health.
The Atlanta Braves organization, which benefited immensely from Turner’s pioneering vision, released a heartfelt statement reflecting on his profound impact. "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 further emphasized how "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." The Braves also acknowledged his extensive philanthropic endeavors, concluding, "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."
Born in Ohio, Turner established himself as a dominant force in the Atlanta business landscape, a media mogul whose influence stretched far beyond local confines. He was widely recognized as a cable television pioneer, founding groundbreaking networks such as CNN, the world’s first 24-hour cable news station, and TBS, which became the first true cable "superstation," alongside TNT. These ventures fundamentally reshaped the media consumption habits of millions globally.
Turner’s foray into sports ownership began in 1976 when he purchased the Atlanta Braves for a reported $12 million. At the time, the Braves were largely an unremarkable franchise, struggling to gain consistent fan engagement and competitive success. Turner immediately recognized the potential synergy between sports and his burgeoning cable empire. He strategically turned the Braves’ telecasts into cornerstone programming for his fledgling WTBS cable network, distributing games nationwide and effectively creating "America’s Team" long before consistent on-field success validated the moniker.
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His ownership was characterized by a distinctive, often eccentric, promotional style that endeared him to fans and confounded traditionalists. Turner was a maverick, unafraid to challenge conventions. Famously, he even managed the Braves for one game in 1977, a brief and controversial experiment quickly halted by the National League, underscoring his hands-on, showman approach. While the Braves initially remained among Major League Baseball’s less successful teams, their financial viability and growing national profile were significantly bolstered by Turner’s relentless and creative promotional efforts, making them a household name through TBS broadcasts.
The team’s fortunes on the field began to shift with Turner’s astute leadership in baseball operations. A pivotal move was his hiring of Bobby Cox as manager in 1978 for his first tenure. However, it was Cox’s second term, commencing in 1990, that ushered in an unprecedented era of dominance for the Braves. This dynasty was built upon an impressive foundation of homegrown talent, including future Hall of Fame pitchers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz, complemented by strategic trade and free-agent acquisitions. These moves were largely orchestrated by general manager John Schuerholz, whom Turner shrewdly recruited from the Kansas City Royals in 1990.
Under this leadership, the Braves embarked on a historic run, making the World Series in 1991 where they engaged in a legendary seven-game battle against the Minnesota Twins, ultimately falling short in a dramatic Game 7. This marked the beginning of an extraordinary period during which the Braves captured an astonishing 14 consecutive division titles from 1991 to 2005 (though Turner sold the team midway through this run, the foundation he laid was instrumental). Their near-nightly presence on TBS broadcasts solidified their status as a national brand. Turner’s persistent efforts and investments culminated in the ultimate prize: the 1995 World Series title, a momentous victory for Atlanta and the capstone of his ownership. The following year, Turner sold the Braves to Time Warner as part of a massive merger deal, with the franchise’s value having soared to approximately $400 million, a testament to his transformative business acumen.
Beyond baseball, Turner’s influence extended to basketball and professional wrestling. He owned the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks from 1977 to 1982. During his tenure, the Hawks saw limited postseason success, winning only a single playoff series in 1979-80 against the Houston Rockets before falling to the Philadelphia 76ers in the conference semifinals. Despite the brevity and lack of championship success, his ownership brought the same entrepreneurial spirit to the franchise, laying groundwork for future growth within the city’s burgeoning sports scene.
In 1988, Turner ventured into professional wrestling, founding World Championship Wrestling (WCW) after acquiring the assets of Jim Crockett Promotions. WCW rapidly evolved into the primary competitor to Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). The rivalry escalated into the "Monday Night Wars," a period of intense competition between WCW’s flagship "Monday Nitro" program and WWF’s "Monday Night Raw." For an impressive 83 consecutive weeks, "Monday Nitro" outdrew "Monday Night Raw" in television ratings, a testament to WCW’s innovative storytelling, star power (including legends like Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and the rise of the New World Order, or nWo), and Turner’s financial backing. While the WWF ultimately regained its dominance, eventually purchasing WCW’s assets from AOL Time Warner in 2001, Turner’s role in creating a vibrant, competitive era in professional wrestling remains a significant part of his legacy.
Turner’s achievements were not confined to media and sports ownership. He was an accomplished yachtsman, famously winning the prestigious America’s Cup race in 1977 aboard the yacht Courageous. His dedication to his adopted city of Atlanta was recognized when Turner Field, the Braves’ home stadium from 1997 to 2016, was named in his honor after its rebranding following the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 1991, his groundbreaking leadership in cable news and his visionary approach to global communication earned him the distinguished title of Time Magazine’s "Man of the Year."
Beyond his business ventures, Turner was a dedicated philanthropist and environmentalist. He famously pledged $1 billion to the United Nations in 1997, establishing the United Nations Foundation to support the UN’s global efforts. He was also one of the largest private landowners in the United States, utilizing much of his property for conservation efforts and the restoration of bison populations. His commitment to global issues and environmental stewardship solidified his reputation as a visionary leader with a broad societal impact.
Ted Turner is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His passing marks the departure of a figure whose audacious spirit, innovative strategies, and unwavering determination irrevocably altered the landscapes of professional sports, global media, and philanthropy, leaving an indelible legacy that continues to resonate across industries.
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