Atlanta remembers CNN founder Ted Turner
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Ted Turner speaks at UNICEF's Evening for Children First event in March 2016. Photo: Ben Rose/Getty Images for UNICEF
Atlanta leaders and organizations are reflecting on the life of Ted Turner, the founder of CNN who died Wednesday at the age of 87.
Why it matters: Turner's influence was felt not only in Atlanta, but across the country through sports, television, environmental advocacy and politics.
Driving the news: Turner, who in 2018 disclosed he had Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disease that causes a decline in mental faculties, died at his home near Tallahassee, Florida, according to his family.
What they're saying: The Atlanta Braves, which Turner purchased in 1976 and famously managed for one day on May 11, 1977, said in a statement their former owner was "a brilliant businessman, consummate showman and passionate fan" of the team.
- The Braves said under Turner's ownership the team experienced "one of the greatest runs of sustained excellence" in MLB history, including its World Series win in 1995.
- "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," the team said.
- Centennial Olympic Stadium, which was built for the 1996 games, was renamed Turner Field where the Braves played from 1997 to 2016.
- The team was sold to Liberty Media in 2007, according to USA Today.
Turner also owned the Atlanta Hawks from 1977 to 1996. Tony Ressler, the team's principal owner, said he first met the media mogul when he was fundraising to expand the Turner Broadcast System network.
- "Seeing his name raised above the rafters at State Farm Arena serves as a constant reminder of the standard he set and the legacy he built."
- Turner also was the owner of the Atlanta Thrashers, which introduced the National Hockey League to the city in 1999. The team later relocated to Winnipeg and rebranded as the Jets, ESPN reports.
Zoom out: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said the city is better because Turner "chose to build much of his legacy here."
- Dickens noted Turner overhauled a local billboard business into a "global media powerhouse."
- "He was ahead of his time, sounding the alarm about the environment, championing peace and pushing our city and our world to dream bigger."
In 2001, Sam Nunn co-founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative with Turner and served as co-chair for the last 25 years.
- Nunn, who represented Georgia in the U.S. Senate as a Democrat from 1972 to 1996, said he was grateful to partner with Turner "to reduce the risks from nuclear and biological weapons globally."
- He also said Turner was successful because he "identified mission impossible, aimed high, and hit the bullseye."
- "Ted never entertained, even for a moment, the thought that any mission was impossible or any target was unreachable."