Ted Turner forever changed the way we consume sports

The brash attitude and showmanship were needed. Atlanta was on national TV during the regular season but rarely in the postseason. During Turner’s first 15 seasons as owner, the Braves made only one playoff appearance. Yet a generation of young fans grew up watching those teams struggle and stayed loyal. They were finally rewarded when the Braves went from last place in the National League in 1990 to reaching the World Series in 1991.

The Braves’ run from 1991 to 2005 helped solidify their status as America’s Team and established TBS as a cable broadcasting powerhouse. Your average sports fan knew players like Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Chipper Jones, and Bobby Cox because they were always on TV.

The Braves finally won the World Series in 1995, and a year later, Ted Turner sold the team. While his business acumen made him a billionaire, it’s also worth noting Turner’s significant role in improving the sports fan experience. TBS was an important addition to many people’s lives at a time when baseball was America’s most popular sport.

The Braves was also a key figure in wrestling. His World Championship Wrestling (WCW) brought live matches to a national cable audience who had often previously had to watch on tape delay.

WCW was in a viewership battle with Vince McMahon’s WWE in the 1990s. This led to the Monday Night War, in which WCW’s Monday Nitro competed directly against WWE’s Monday Night Raw. This ratings showdown greatly contributed to the popularity of wrestling that exists today.

These days, many owners run sports teams purely as businesses. Ted Turner often treated sports as a fan would, and that was his greatest strength.

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