Ted Turner, former Braves owner, media mogul, dies at 87
Ted Turner, the former proprietor of the Atlanta Braves and Hawks who made his mark as a half-mogul and a philanthropist, has died at the age of 87.
Turner died Wednesday at his dwelling close to Tallahassee, Florida, in accordance with a household spokesman.
In (*87*) 2018, Turner revealed that he was battling Lewy physique dementia, an ailment that causes a progressive decline in psychological skills with bodily indicators and signs much like Parkinson’s illness.
Turner bought the Braves in January 1976 following a 67-94 season by the membership, saying at a information convention: “I don’t want to see any more headlines calling Atlanta ‘Loserville USA’ I want to see Winnersville USA,'” He helped open baseball’s free agent value wars by signing pitcher Andy Messersmith shortly after shopping for the crew and as soon as managed the membership for a day — May 11, 1977.
The Braves gained a World Series in 1995.
“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 crew mentioned in an announcement. “Ted’s visionary leadership and innovative approach to broadcast television transformed the Braves into ‘America’s Team.’
“…We will miss you, Ted. You helped make us who we’re in the present day, and the Atlanta Braves are endlessly grateful for the impression you made on our group and in our group.”
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 6, 2026
In addition to owning the Braves, Turner bought a majority stake in the Hawks in 1977. He said at the time that he bought the team to keep it from moving out of the Atlanta area. The Hawks made the playoffs 15 times during Turner’s ownership, and the club retired a jersey in honor of him in 2004.
Turner made his fortune in media, taking over the family business and renaming it Turner Communications Group in 1970. He began his empire by purchasing two stations in Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina.
In 1976, he launched TBS to millions across America, as the station’s signal was carried via satellite. Four years later, he furthered his reach by creating the 24-hour cable news network CNN, a move that transformed the news business. TNT, created in 1988, increased Turner’s footprint in the media landscape.
Time Warner assumed ownership of the Braves and Hawks in 1996 when Turner sold his business to the company for $7.3 billion in stock. Turner was promised a continued role at CNN but was gradually pushed out, much to his regret.
A year later, TBS became the owner of the NHL expansion Thrashers, who relocated and became the Winnipeg Jets in 2011.
In 1986, Turner created the Goodwill Games, an international sports competition held every four years; the event ran until 2000. He also ventured into professional wrestling with the purchase of Jim Crockett Promotions in 1988 and renaming it as World Championship Wrestling. WCW served as the main competitor to WWE through the 1990s but was ultimately purchased by WWE in 2001.
Turner was also an accomplished yachtsman. As skipper of the yacht Courageous, he defended the America’s Cup in 1977 by beating Australia 4-0.
Turner focused on philanthropy later in life. In 1997, he pledged $1 billion to benefit the United Nations. Turner was also committed to The Giving Pledge, a commitment by the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to giving back.
“Ted was an intensely concerned and dedicated chief, fearless, fearless and at all times prepared to again a hunch and belief his personal judgment,” Mark Thompson, chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, said in a statement. “He was and at all times would be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the large on whose shoulders we stand, and we’ll all take a second in the present day to acknowledge him and his impression on our lives and the world.”
Turner married thrice, most famously to Jane Fonda from 1991 to 2001. He is survived by his 5 kids, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Information from The Associated Press was used on this report.
