(The Center Square) – Ted Turner, media mogul and generational influencer well beyond the borders of Georgia, has died.
He was 87.
Turner created CNN and what was then known as a superstation in WTBS. CNN, his June 1, 1980, creation, announced his death.
Turner was best known for bringing the Atlanta Braves into America’s living rooms after purchasing the team in 1976. At various times, he also owned the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers, and World Championship Wrestling.
The Braves played at Turner Field, nicknamed the ‘Ted,’ until the 2016 season, when the team moved to its current location at Cobb County’s Truist Park.
Turner was well-known for his philanthropy in environmental issues. He founded the Turner Foundation in 1990, which “supports efforts for improving air and water quality, developing a sustainable energy future to protect our climate, safeguarding environmental health, maintaining wildlife habitat protection, and developing practices and policies to curb population growth rates,” according to the Turner Enterprises website.
Turner led a life “as big as the American dream he lived,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement.
“He helped drive Atlanta, our state, and the nation to new achievements,” Kemp said. “His media empire reimagined the American news cycle and broadcast TV as we know it, ultimately making his Atlanta Braves ‘America’s team’ for decades.”
Second-term Republican President Donald Trump called Turner a friend who was there when he needed him.
“He founded CNN, sold it, and was personally devastated by the deal because the new ownership took CNN, his ‘baby,’ and destroyed it,” Trump said. “It became woke, and everything that he is not all about. Maybe the new buyers, wonderful people, will be able to bring it back to its former credibility and glory.”
