When you think of Atlanta, one of the first things that comes to mind is the Falcons, Braves, and the Hawks. Although all three have their own legacies, their histories have one thing in common: Ted Turner’s contributions. The legendary entrepreneur passed away on Wednesday afternoon, and it’s safe to say his untimely passing reached farther than just the city of Atlanta.
Turner lived a life of tremendous passion and perseverance
The Ohio native moved to Savannah, GA at the age of nine, and his love for the Peach state was ignited by the culture-filled region of southern Georgia. He grew up under the watchful eyes of two loving parents, Robert and Florence Turner, who were always busy working their jobs.
Robert had to pay the price of success with his marriage. Working long hours put a strain on his marriage, and Florence would divorce her husband of 20 years. It affected Ted, but with a bright future on the horizon, he didn’t have time to worry about something out of his control.
He would continue his schooling in GA and eventually get a job working for his father’s business after a short stint at Brown University. His father would pass away in 1963, and Turner would become the President of Turner Advertising Company at just 24 years old.
Shortly after finding his own success with his father’s business, Ted purchased a litany of radio stations. He sold them in 1969 to buy a struggling TV station, which he named WCTG, abbreviated for Watch This Channel Grow, and it did just that.
By 1970, his investment was already showing potential, and in 1972, he took it up a notch with sports entertainment. In that year, he purchased the rights to telecast Braves and Hawks games, changing Atlanta sports forever.
Turner facilitated in the ultimate rise of the Atlanta Hawks
As the years progressed, so did the Atlanta metropolitan area and Turner’s prominence. In 1980, he created the first-ever 24-hour news network, now known today as CNN. It was a major success, but the same couldn’t be said for his sports ventures.
During the 1980 season, the Braves finished 81-80 in the MLB while the Hawks finished 31-51 in the NBA. Little did he know, the Hawks were on the verge of a generational talent. Two years later in 1982, Georgia Bulldog Dominique Wilkins was traded to the Atlanta Hawks for John Drew, Freeman Williams, and $1 million cash.
Fast-forward a few years, and Wilkins would become a nationwide attraction. Fans from far and wide would pack the Omni Arena to witness “The Human Highlight Reel.”
The Paris-born superstar was an extremely lucrative acquisition for Turner, but instead of adding money to his bank account, he gave it back to the city by improving it. In 1990, he created the Turner Foundation and the Captain Planet Foundation, yes, that Captain Planet.
He used the influence of the animated TV series to encourage children to take care of their environment and participate in local community service. Not only did Turner’s impact improve the world around us, but he also generated over $380 million with the Turner Foundation.
It’s one of the many contributions he made during his 87 years on earth, and no one feels his loving spirit more than the citizens of Atlanta. With one of the busiest roads in the city named after him, tourists from around the world will forever know his name.
Fans take this route to see their beloved Hawks play, and it’s only right, knowing the impact he had on the franchise. Ted Turner established something that will endure long after May 6, 2026, and that day will live in infamy as the day we lost one of the best human beings ever to call Georgia home.
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