Ted Turner, the billionaire media mogul who transformed television broadcasting and changed American sports forever, has died at the age of 87. His company, Turner Enterprises, confirmed that Turner passed away on Wednesday while surrounded by family and friends.
Turner’s death marks the end of an era in American media and sports history. He built a massive broadcasting empire, founded major television networks, and turned the Atlanta Braves into one of the most recognised baseball teams in the United States.
Ted Turner Changed Modern Broadcasting
Born in Ohio, Turner entered the media business after the death of his father in 1963. He took control of the family’s billboard company, Turner Outdoor Advertising, and quickly expanded his ambitions beyond outdoor advertising.
In 1970, he purchased a struggling Atlanta television station and another station in North Carolina. He renamed the business Turner Communications Group and began reshaping the television industry.
Turner made a historic move in 1976 when he launched his Atlanta station nationwide through satellite broadcasting. The channel later became known as TBS and reached homes across America at a time when cable television was still developing.
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His bold strategy changed how audiences consumed entertainment and sports. It also helped popularise national broadcasting for local teams and programmes.
Atlanta Braves Became ‘America’s Team’
In the same year, Turner bought the Atlanta Braves. Because Braves games aired nationwide on TBS, the team gained fans far beyond Atlanta and became known as “America’s Team”.
The Braves paid tribute to Turner after his death. The organisation described him as a visionary businessman and passionate fan whose leadership transformed the franchise.
The team said Turner’s innovative approach to television broadcasting helped shape the identity and success of the Braves for decades.
Turner also invested heavily in basketball. He purchased a majority stake in the Atlanta Hawks to ensure the team stayed in Atlanta.
Current Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler called Turner “a true original” and praised his lasting impact on sports and the city of Atlanta.
Baseball’s First Free Agent Signing
Turner played a direct role in one of baseball’s biggest turning points. In 1976, he signed pitcher Andy Messersmith to the first free-agent contract in Major League Baseball history.
Messersmith joined the Braves on a three-year deal worth $1 million after successful seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Turner used the signing as a marketing opportunity. Messersmith wore jersey number 17, matching Turner’s television channel number, while the back of his jersey displayed “Channel” instead of his surname.
The move reflected Turner’s flair for promotion and entertainment. It also showed how he blended sports with media branding in ways rarely seen before.
Founder of CNN and Global Media Influence
Turner’s influence extended far beyond sports. He founded CNN, the world’s first 24-hour news network, which revolutionised global news coverage.
He also launched TNT and expanded his growing media empire into one of the most powerful broadcasting groups in the world.
In 1996, Turner sold his media holdings, including the Braves, to Warner Bros. Discovery through a merger with Time Warner valued at $7.5 billion.
The sale came one year after Atlanta celebrated its first World Series title under Turner’s ownership.
Health Struggles and Philanthropy
In 2018, Turner publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive condition that affects thinking, memory, and movement.
Despite his health struggles, Turner remained active in philanthropy during his later years. He donated billions to humanitarian and environmental causes and pledged $1 billion to the United Nations.
He also founded the Goodwill Games and remained involved in professional wrestling and sailing. In 1977, Turner skippered his yacht Courageous to victory in the America’s Cup.
Family and Legacy
Turner married three times during his life, including a high-profile marriage to actress Jane Fonda that lasted 10 years before ending in divorce in 2001.
He is survived by five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Ted Turner leaves behind a legacy that reshaped modern television, sports broadcasting, and global journalism. His ideas transformed how millions of people watched news, entertainment, and live sports around the world.
