Former Atlanta Braves owner and CNN founder Ted Turner dies aged 87
Former Atlanta Braves and Hawks owner Ted Turner, the billionaire media mogul who founded CNN, has died at his Florida home aged 87.
The American philanthropist passed away near Tallahassee on Wednesday, having publicly revealed a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia in 2018.
He leaves behind a sweeping legacy across international sport, global broadcasting and widespread charitable initiatives.
Building a sporting empire
Turner purchased the Braves in January 1976 to prevent the struggling Major League Baseball franchise from relocating out of Georgia.
The charismatic owner famously managed the baseball club for a single day in May 1977, and eventually oversaw their 1995 World Series triumph.
His sporting portfolio expanded further when he secured a majority stake in the Hawks basketball team in 1977, keeping them firmly anchored in the Atlanta area.
Under his stewardship, the National Basketball Association franchise reached the play-offs 15 times before retiring a jersey in his honour in 2004.
Global competitions and media domination
Beyond terrestrial sports, the accomplished yachtsman successfully defended the America’s Cup in 1977 as skipper of the vessel Courageous.
He also established the Goodwill Games in 1986, an international athletics competition designed to ease Cold War tensions that ran for 14 years.
These sporting ventures were funded by his pioneering television network, which revolutionised global news coverage with the launch of the 24-hour channel CNN in 1980.
Philanthropy and tributes
Time Warner assumed control of his sports teams in 1996, allowing the billionaire to pivot heavily towards philanthropic endeavours.
He famously pledged $1bn to the United Nations in 1997 and committed to dedicating the majority of his wealth to charitable causes via The Giving Pledge.
CNN Worldwide chairman Mark Thompson led the tributes to the broadcasting pioneer, praising his fearless vision.
“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement. He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand.”
Mark Thompson, CNN Worldwide chairman
He is survived by five children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.